Local fashion brands complain of poor sales

The beginning of Ramadan usually means buoyant sales for the local fashion brands who earn the majority of their annual profits during the two Eids.

The situation is different this year with Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB) leaders terming the sales poor a week into the Ramadan.

FEAB Vice-President Shahin Ahmed, also the CEO of Anjan’s, told the Dhaka Tribune that they hoped to get a good response from customers in coming days.

Azharul Hoque Azad, the association’s president, concurred: “We usually see buoyant sales from the first week of Ramadan. This year, it might take more time as Ramadan started from the middle of the month and our customers might have funds crunch.”

He said they were optimistic about “big response” from next Friday and beyond.

FEAB said about 40% profits of the leading brands come from Eid ul-Fitr sales. However, it is different for smaller brands. Sales during the Eid seasons make up to 80%-90% of their annual profits.

Bibiana’s Sales Associate Anjuman Arju said sales had been poor since the beginning of Ramadan. Nadim Ahmed, manager of Infinity’s Mirpur branch, echoed Arju.

Sejuti Zaman, manager of Palli Boutiques’ Mirpur outlet, said the sales in the first week of Ramadan had made them frustrated and unsure about how customers would behave in coming days.

FEAB chief Azad, also the managing director of Sadakalo, said: “Last year, the Eid-ul-Fitr sales turnover of all the fashion houses was of Tk4,000 crore. We aim to repeat the success this year too.”