Eid Shopping Spree Hits Full Swing in City Markets

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Rawalpindi: With Eid-ul-Fitr just around the corner, the excitement for preparations and shopping has reached a peak in the city markets.

Particularly, women and children are flocking to the main city markets, bazaars, and malls to make their purchases.

On Saturday night, a festive atmosphere enveloped the bustling markets, including Saddar, Lal Kurti, Commercial Market, Moti Bazar, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, and Raja Bazaar, among others.

Various local and international brands have showcased their latest Eid collections, including dresses, shoes, and essential accessories, aiming to attract buyers and maximize profits as the last Ashra of Ramazan begins.

The city’s residents can be seen crowding shopping malls and markets, with a rush observed in purchasing dresses and household items.

Shopkeepers have adorned their shops with colorful lights to lure in customers, and the shopping frenzy is expected to peak on Monday and Tuesday.

Families are stepping out for shopping right after iftar, engaging in buying shoes, cosmetics, ready-made garments, eye-catching artificial jewelry, multi-colored bangles, and other items essential for the upcoming festival of Eid ul Fitr.

Women, in particular, are immersed in purchasing clothes, footwear, cosmetics, henna, bangles, and other festive items.

On Saturday night, bustling crowds of girls flocked to bangles and henna stalls across the city, signaling the onset of Eid festivities.

However, amidst the shopping rush, some shopkeepers have begun taking advantage by significantly raising prices, much to the dismay of shoppers.

A bangle seller remarked optimistically, “The number of customers is gradually increasing, and we anticipate a further surge as Eid draws nearer.” Meanwhile, shoppers expressed mixed sentiments, with one stating, “I’ve finished shopping for my kids, purchasing clothes and matching shoes.”

Hawkers, targeting low-income individuals, are also witnessing brisk sales of clothes, footwear, cosmetics, and other goods in anticipation of Eid. Temporary stalls offering ready-made clothes, bangles, earrings, and cosmetics have sprouted throughout the city.

However, several Eid shoppers voiced grievances over overpricing, particularly for women’s and children’s clothing. They lamented the challenge of completing their shopping lists amidst inflation, with some expressing that only those with ample financial resources could afford the expense.

Amina, a visitor to Chota Bazar Saddar, expressed, “The prevailing price hike restricts me to purchasing clothes only for my children.” Conversely, Sobia, a visitor to the commercial market, reminisced about the joy of buying bangles and henna for Eid while criticizing shopkeepers for exploiting the shopping frenzy with inflated prices.

Despite complaints, a shopkeeper at Raja Bazar reported a thriving business, thanks to the influx of shoppers. To ensure security, Rawalpindi police have increased personnel deployment in bazaars and markets, while the City Traffic Police have implemented special measures to manage traffic flow.