Eid shopping fervour commences as people throng markets

Srinagar: With Eid-ul-fitr only a week away, the shoppers across the Valley have started thronging the markets to make all sorts of purchases. The departmental stores and shopping marts are witnessing long queues of shoppers purchasing clothes and other packaged food products. Muneeb-ur -Rehman, a shopper at a departmental store told KNO that trend of “shopping under one roof has become comfortable for shoppers, instead of shopping from regular grocery stores,”

Deals offered by departmental stores are among their efforts to woo maximum customers. Meanwhile, heavy rush in uptown areas such as Lal Chowk and Maharaja Bazar continued unabated with most people visiting bakery and meat shops. Interestingly, several new bakery shops have launched their outlets just days ahead of Eid, promising freshly made pastries and bakery. Most shopkeepers are also providing festive packaging to goods for attracting maximum buyers ahead of Eid.

“Food and dry fruits packaged in baskets is the most sought after product this Eid,” said Sajad Ahmad, a dry fruit seller. The huge rush of shoppers is also due to wedding season kick-starting soon after Ramadhan, he told KNO. “Imported juices and other beverages are also a hit among shoppers,”

Children’s and ladies section of ready-made garment stores are the most buzzing with activities. Many shops are showcasing clothes alongwith fire crackers and toys for children.

However, people are cautious about usage of firecrackers saying “considering the prevailing fragile situation , this Eid must be celebrated with austerity,” With Monday and Tuesday likely to be the last two days before Eid, people have made grand plans to visit bakery and meat shops on these two days to stock up their homes. (KNO)