Eid shopping sees profits rise

Traders say that profits are rising because shoppers are expected to go on a buying spree ahead of Eid Al-Fitr.
Customers are buying new clothing, footwear, jewelry and gifts. There are large crowds of shoppers at malls here, especially after iftar.
Shop owners selling traditional Indian and Pakistani clothes say business is booming. Most of these shops have tailoring as an added service.
“Our new collection which we order from Pakistan every two weeks is selling rapidly this month despite their high prices,” says Shah Anwar, a seller at a traditional ethnic-wear shop. “Customers are buying more. We have tailors producing garments from materials customers buy at our shop. There has been a great demand for tailors this season.”
“Eid shopping for me has not finished yet,” says Nida Khan. “I have only purchased my dress so far. I still have to shop for shoes and gifts for my friends.”
Khan says that she's finished shopping for her husband, but still has lots of shopping to do for her and her twin daughters.
Jewelry is another festival necessity for women in the Kingdom. “Rising gold prices are not a barrier during the festive season,” says Khalid Aswan, a gold shop owner. “The demand for gold is too high. Most people in Jeddah make it a point to buy gold on various occasions or special days.”
According to a recent report, gold sales increased by up to 25 percent from just a month ago after a drop in gold prices in the Kingdom and around the world.
Apart from shopping for clothes for Eid, some people also decorate their homes for the festival including painting, new curtains, new furniture, carpets and ornaments.
Fatima Ghaleb, a Saudi housewife, decorates her home on every special occasion.
“I have a craze for new furniture and ornaments for the home,” says Ghaleb. “I spend most of my time trying to give my home a new look rather than myself. I’m done with Eid shopping for myself, but shopping for the home still continues.”
Many furniture stores across the Kingdom are offering discounts to attract customers.
There is also a huge demand for sweets. “Customers of several nationalities come to me with orders for sweets,” says Malik Albali, owner of a sweets shop. “This is a peak time for us, a time when there is a noticeable rise in our profits.” Albali says he makes Arabian, Indian and Pakistani sweets.