Thobe prices fly high in Ramadan

Thobe prices have increased over the past few months due to local importers raising textile prices, said a report by Al-Watan newspaper this week. The report also quoted tailors blaming businessmen for the rise in prices.
Price increases seem to be a regular feature every year, the reasons being the same. In a report published last year in Al-Riyadh newspaper, local experts expected an international increase in textile prices because of what they called "an increase in raw material prices in source countries."
“There will be a 30 percent increase in prices,” said Tarik Ba Abbad, a Riyadh textile importer.
Sources at Al-Madina newspaper blamed the current conflict in Syria as the reason for the halt in cotton exports.
Ramadan is generally the peak season for both textile distributors and tailors. Prices usually double as people are keen to get their new thobes just weeks before Eid Al-Fitr.
Tailors on Bani Malik Street in Jeddah, famous for reasonable priced thobes, add an additional 50 percent to their merchandise during Ramadan.
“They normally charge SR 100, but during Ramadan, which is their busiest season, prices jump to SR 150 at least,” said Majid Alghamdi, a dressmaker.
Bani Malik tailors are considered the least expensive compared to other outlets. Prices of thobes in Ha’il Street and Sarai start from SR 200 in the off-season, with prices rising higher during Ramadan. Depending on the textile model and details to be added to the thobe, the price could reach SR 500, but the same quality can be found in Bani Malik at a lower cost.
Despite the increase of prices during Ramadan, people still delay their purchases until the holy month is upon them, and most outlets lack the sufficient manpower to handle the demand. They are forced to stop taking orders by mid-month.
Some costumers have developed a strategy to combat the price madness during Ramadan.
“I no longer buy textiles from the tailor,” said Soud Al-Harbi. “I buy textiles from wholesalers in Balad and take them to the tailor prior to Ramadan. This saves me 20-40 percent off the price, since the materials are the same.”