Khulna's markets and shopping centers are witnessing heavy crowds. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, March 14, 2026 (BSS) - With Eid-ul-Fitr around the corner, Khulna's markets and shopping centers are witnessing heavy crowds as shoppers hunt for new clothes, especially women's three-piece outfits, gowns, and lehengas.

The rush has intensified since 16 Ramadan, when government employees received their salaries and bonuses, boosting sales at both footpath stalls and upscale stores. 

Streets across the city, from Nixon Market to luxury shopping centers, were crowded with buyers on Saturday. Women's clothing stores saw particularly large crowds, outpacing men's shops.

Busy markets include Akhtar Chamber, Haji Malek Chamber, Esha Chamber, Picture Palace, Khulna Shopping Complex, Rob Supermarket, Shahid Suhrawardy Biploni Bittan, Railway Biploni Bittan, Jabbar Market, Khanzahan Ali Hawkers Market, and New Market. 

Shopkeepers noted that mid-range markets and street vendors are drawing higher sales due to lower prices.

Sarwar, a footpath vendor near Nixon Market, said sales were slow until 12 Ramadan but picked up after Eid bonuses were distributed. He sells men's T-shirts and shirts priced between Tk 250 and Tk 350. 

Mamun, a children's clothing vendor, also reported higher sales since 15 Ramadan.

Hasan, owner of a men's clothing shop at Railway Biploni Bittan, said his store offers pants ranging from Tk 400 to Tk 1,500, with sales increasing over the past week.

At upscale Khulna Shopping Center, Utpal Dutta, owner of Aishika Fashion, said young women are buying cotton three-pieces, georgette, organza, jimucci, and Persian gowns in large numbers. 

Prices range from Tk 2,500-4,000 for cotton sets, Tk 5,000-10,000 for georgette Pakistani Persian gowns, Tk 3,500-7,000 for organza, Tk 2,500-3,500 for jimucci, and Tk 3,000-7,000 for Indian Persian gowns.

Abul Hossain of Mariam Enterprise said this year's collection includes Persian gowns from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, priced between Tk 3,000 and Tk 10,000. He noted that while Eid sales usually peak between 7-14 Ramadan, this year the rush started after 15 Ramadan.

Some shoppers expressed concern over high prices. Shahadat, a local resident, said he had been browsing since noon but found prices steep and plans to buy children's clothing later. 

Picture Palace Supermarket offered discounts of Tk 100-200 on selected one-piece, two-piece, and three-piece items sourced from Islampur and Dhaka.

Women's saree shops are also busy, with B-Plus printed sarees priced at Tk 1,400-1,500 and Tangail sarees at Tk 800-1,600.

At New Market's Cats Eye, owner Jahangir Hossain said he purchased stock worth lakhs of taka on bank loans but sales have been slow this year despite offering a wide range of children's, women's, and men's clothing.

The Eid shopping rush highlights that while buyers are price-conscious, the demand for fashionable women's attire continues to drive activity across Khulna's markets.