With nine days to go for the Eid festivities, shoppers are flocking to malls and other shopping complexes, especially after the Ramadan “taraweeh” prayers.

Traffic on the roads leading to these malls are jam-packed, causing vehicles to move at snail’s pace. Finding parking space remains a nightmare for most residents.

Shoppers have been advised to shop much earlier in the day to avoid rush hour.

Both government and private sector employees received their salaries last week as a goodwill gesture during the run-up to the festivities.

Arab News visited Taibah market north of Riyadh, between Olaya and King Fahd road, where low-priced clothing and appliances were on display. The place was heavily crowded, even though prices had shot up for children’s clothing and abayas.

A salesman told Arab News that there would be a big demand for abayas at this time of month.

“These are typical market forces. When there is high demand for any particular product, prices automatically shoot up,” said Saleh, a salesman. He told Arab News that new abayas, currently selling at between SR250 and SR280, normally cost SR150.

Children’s clothing are also in demand during the Eid season.

Shopping at the Masmak public market near Qasr Alhakm is said to be cheaper than other places, which accounts for the huge traffic jams the area experiences during this period.

Many, nevertheless, find it worth their while to get to these markets, which sell their goods for 50 percent less than shopping malls.

The automobile sector also witnesses increased demand during this period.