A shop is packed with customers at Jahur Hawkers' Market in Chittagong. Customer turnout reaches its peak ahead of Eid. Photo: Prabir Das

Shoppers are crowding the Poura Jahur Hawkers' Market, a popular destination for the low-income people in Chittagong, before the upcoming Eid festival.
Although sales at the market were relatively good since the beginning of Ramadan, shopping activities gained more momentum recently, sellers said.
Firoj Ahmed, a student of Chittagong University and a regular customer at the market, went there on Monday for Eid-shopping with two of his friends from the university.
He bought a panjabi and trousers for himself to celebrate Eid and said low prices have brought him to the market.
Shahena Akter, a resident of Jhautala area in the city, said, “I always come to this market for Eid shopping since all the necessary items are found here at reasonable prices."
She said she came to the market a little early this year to avoid traffic jam and rush that is usual just before Eid.
She bought clothes for her four-year-old son.
Almost all the 802 shops at the market were buzzing with customers and the sellers were passing busy time.
They were buying panjabis, T-shirts, trousers, shirts, children's clothing and all types of dresses and accessories.
But some customers alleged the shops were charging higher prices cashing in on the huge turnout and demand.
Quazi Mahmudul Huq, owner of a shop -- Ongoboron, said shoppers' turnout has increased since the tenth of Ramadan.
“Our turnover rises significantly this season due to an increase in the number of shoppers,” he added.
Usually daily sales at a shop stand between Tk 20,000 and Tk 25,000 on average, he said, adding that the amount rises to around Tk 70,000 in the run up to Eid.
Among the dresses for Eid, panjabis, jeans trousers and children's clothes are the most favourite, Huq said.
Khondaker Abdur Rahim, owner of Khondaker Fashion Zone, said Jahur Hawkers' Market attracts customers throughout the year, but the number of shoppers increases significantly during the Eid season.
Golam Dastagir Faruqi, acting general secretary of the traders' association at the market, said they have taken all necessary preparations to maintain security for the shoppers this year.
Eid sales this year were better compared to the previous years, he said.