In their bid to escape biting cold, many local residents move to Tihama region in the evening. This factor has also resulted in slowing down business activities, according to a report in Al-Madinah Arabic daily.
Heavy rain that lashed the region over the last few days and low visibility due to thick fog are other major factors that have caused a slowdown in business activities. The most affected is the textile sector especially that of light clothing. However, there is a huge demand for dresses for the cold season. Sales of this type of clothing as well as heaters have jumped up to 70 percent. The number of patients approaching local hospitals and polyclinics is also on the rise.
Faisal and Muhammad, owners of textile shops in Baha, said people here prefer to purchase clothing that protect them from the biting cold. There has been no demand for light clothing. Hence, some of the retailers have been forced to open their branch outlets in regions with moderate temperatures.
Osama Abdullah and Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, traders of woolen clothes, say there has been tremendous response for their products thanks to the freezing temperatures.
“As the mercury falls our sales go up. Our business soared 90 percent after a period of stagnation,” Al-Ghamdi said.
Speaking to the newspaper, many traders talked about the slow movement of local residents due to cold. Abdul Nasir Al-Zahrani, a salesman, said that most people prefer to stay at home and do not go out for shopping because of the cold. Most commercial sectors have been affected by the cold.
Khaled Al-Kinani, another trader, said most people go out mainly to buy heaters and blankets.
Othman Al-Ghamdi, a local resident, said his family doesn't want to go out due to the fog and the threat of cold-related sickness.
