MADINAH, 31 October 2005 — Shoppers in Madinah are staying up late and picking up items for the holidays, and businesses are hoping to make them all happy in the busiest sales month of the year.
From shopping centers in Central Madinah to Guba market, Belal Market, Al-Hejra Market and Sultana, people are buying everything from gifts and Eid clothing to new furniture for the holiday season. Sales go through the roof, and it’s a trend Madinah businesses bank on.
“It’s now or never,” said shoe-store owner Ali Abu Sag of the last 10 days of Ramadan. “The shoe market is big, and we have so many feet that are looking for a new pair of shoes.”
Even though he’s helping a lot of feet; he’s only helping half as many people, so he’s trying to make the most of it.
“If I don’t make a profit in this month alone, then I won’t make a profit for the whole year,” Abu Sag said.
“My profits increase in the last 10 days of Ramadan alone by 70 percent, and people keep shopping until the last few hours before Eid. I’m working around the clock to meet the huge demand.”
Ramadan is only 30 days of the year, but for some stores it’s nearly a third of the year’s profit. “I offer the latest products,” said Guba clothier Ateq ibn Mueed, who note Ramadan accounts for 30 percent of his annual sales. “We have items in stock that I kept especially for this time. I also make sure I give an appropriate discount that satisfies the customer — and guarantees some profit for me. Most of my customers are from Madinah or Saudis visiting Madinah for Eid. Pilgrims come in, too, and they take advantage of the discounts in the last 10 days of Ramadan to buy gifts for their families before going home.”
The rush isn’t just from small-ticket items. “It’s a beautiful site to see so many families trying to renew their furniture,” said furniture store owner Ahmad Sahnon. “We always pray for such a season to continue throughout the year.”
It’s time for maximum effort.
“All the employees are on now because we have to sell and install every piece of furniture that’s sold,” he said. “I got ready for the season by making sure all that’s on display is in stock. My profit this month is up by 40 percent.”
The shopkeepers’ smiles aren’t too wide, however. They know that the shopping fervor fizzles after Eid. “I have to sell everything before Eid because after Eid we’ll face a hard month,” said Ateyalla Al-Raddadi, owner of a clothing store where profits increase more than 100 percent during the last 10 days. “The season will pick up later in Haj.
Al-Raddadi said the store will be busy up to the last minute. “I close down the shop before Fajer prayer, and, trust me, people will shop to the last minute before Eid. That’s when people realize they’re missing a dress.”
