Ahead of Eid, Kashmir markets swell with shoppers

On the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr,  people on Thursday across Kashmir thronged various shopping centers that wore a festive look for making last minute purchases.

Popular markets such as Jamia market, Lal Chowk, Goni Khan, Batamaloo and several other shopping hubs across the Valley saw people buying clothes, bakery and different commodities in large quantities.   

   

Despite traders in the city-centre of the summer capital complaining that market is not picking up as per expectations, roadside vendors from TRC Junction to Hari Singh High Street have been witnessing brisk sales during last few days.    

According to President, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, Muhammad Yaseen Khan a less rush visible in the city-centre was due to the “emerging trend that significant shopping hubs have developed in rest of the city and Valley as well”. 

People on Thursday made beelines outside bakers, mutton and poultry shops leading to a surge in sale of these products.

Women shoppers in large numbers accompanied by children were seen visiting showrooms and roadside vendors to make purchases. Ahead of Eid, people were busy purchasing ready-made garments, home decoration, furnishing products, utensils etc. “There is huge demand for party wear dresses for kids. These colourful outfits are priced more than regular casual wear but people don’t mind shelling out extra money on Eid,” said salesman of a kids wear showroom at Fairdeal shopping complex on Residency Road.  

According to general secretary, All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj-u-din Ganie sales of mutton witnessed a sharp increase on the eve of Eid. “Since the day of Shab-e-Qadr sale of mutton in the Valley has been more than worth Rs 100 crore,” he said. “On non-festive days, we import 40 truckloads of livestock, but from last few days it has increased to 100 truckloads as demand for mutton soars ahead of Eid,” said Ganie.

Similarly there has been surge in demand for poultry in the market. However, consumers complained of being overcharged for food items. “The government approved rate for poultry is Rs 110 per kilogram but nowhere in the city is this rate being applied. There is an open loot as essential commodities are being overpriced,” said Farooq Ahmad, a consumer from Hyderpora.

Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Nisar Ahmad Wani told Greater Kashmir market checking squads conducted market checking and penalised several traders who were violating the government approved rate-list. 

Popular departmental stores and shopping marts too are witnessing long ques of shoppers ahead of Eid.  Owners of these stores said they are offering discounts on certain products in order to attract maximum customer footfalls but customers said there were no such discounts. “Food items and dry fruits packaged in attractive baskets are most popular product at our shop this Eid,” said Sajad Ahmad, a shopkeeper.

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