Eid shopping in Dhaka is exposing a widening divide in consumer behaviour, as budget shoppers pull back in traditional markets while branded retailers report steady or rising sales 2-3 days ahead of the biggest shopping festival in the country.
The contrast is visible across the capital’s retail hubs, where crowded footpaths mask weak transactions, according to visits and market feedback from traders and brands.
New Market and Gausia remain packed with shoppers, yet vendors say cautious spending driven by higher living costs is limiting conversions.
“Demand for locally made women’s three-piece outfits has dropped about 20 per cent from last year, with most buyers now looking for options around Tk1,500,” said Gausia Market trader Alamin.
Mass-market retailers say price sensitivity is reshaping purchasing patterns, with customers increasingly prioritising affordability over variety.
Replication of designs at lower quality is also distorting competition, as cheaper alternatives draw customers away from original products, said an Suvastu Aroma Center store manager Robin Ahmed.
Imported Pakistani dresses are emerging as the strongest segment, particularly among urban buyers seeking fabric quality and brand recognition.
“Customers are showing strong interest in Pakistani collections, with most purchases between Tk2,500 and Tk3,000,” said an Eastern Mollika shopping mall store manager Alamgir, adding that Indian outfits now make up only a small portion of inventory.
Sales pressure is most acute in mid-range malls, where retailers report sharp declines.
“Sales have fallen around 50 per cent compared to the previous Eid, forcing price cuts that leave almost no margin,” said Rubel Miah, a salesman at traditional apparel store New-Like-Me in Basundhara City Shopping Complex.
He said traditional women’s dresses that sold for Tk3,000 last year are now being offered between Tk1,200 and Tk1,500, reflecting both weaker demand and competition from imports and online sellers.
Saree retailers are facing the steepest downturn, with some reporting collapses in demand.
“Sales have dropped by up to 80 per cent, and most buyers now purchase sarees only as gifts rather than for personal use,” said Charulata Sarees proprietor Md Aktar Hussain.
Several shop owners said daily sales have fallen from around Tk2,50,000 in previous Eids to as low as Tk50,000 this season.
Consumers, however, say they are becoming more selective rather than disengaged.
“We can tell whether a dress is authentic just by touching it, so I prefer buying from physical stores,” said Dhaka City College student Sanjida Khatun.
Branded retailers describe a more resilient outlook, supported by loyal customer bases and product differentiation.
Le Reve Assistant General Manager Marketing Afrina Habib said sales started slowly but improved later, with performance slightly better than last year.
Yellow Executive Director Hadi Chowdhury said demand has increased around 30 per cent year-on-year, with Eid contributing roughly half of monthly sales.
“Customers want new designs for Eid, so offering a wide range is key,” he said, noting that the brand introduced up to 1,800 designs this season.
Rang Bangladesh proprietor Soumik Das said sales are “fairly good” but below expectations, as middle-income households reduce basket size.
“In many cases, customers who used to buy four outfits are now buying two or three,” he said.
Other brands report stable but uneven demand across segments.
Anjan’s proprietor Shaheen Ahmed said sales are broadly in line with last year, while Noorjahan Market trader Sabbir Rahman said shirt sales grew only around 10 per cent, with most purchases in the Tk800 to Tk1,000 range.
Punjabi sellers also report softer demand.
“The market is down about 30 per cent, with customers focusing on Tk1,000 to Tk1,500 products,” said Science Lab trader Abdur Rahman.
Industry insiders estimate the Pakistani dress segment alone exceeds Tk100 crore, with up to 35 per cent of annual sales concentrated during Eid-ul-Fitr.
Retailers say the overall trend reflects a bifurcated market rather than a collapse in demand.
Lower-income consumers are cutting back or trading down, while higher-income shoppers continue to spend on premium and branded apparel, keeping parts of the sector resilient.
