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KARACHI: Eid shopping boosts shoe sales

By Razi Syed

The sale of ladies and children shoes witnessed sharp increase at major shoes outlets in the city this Ramadan, primarily due to the blessing of the plastic money and discounted rates.

The owners and officials of the shoes outlet said last years during Ramadan, sales of shoes recorded some 40 percent increase to around Rs 75 million.

“This Ramadan we noticed increased sale of ladies and children varieties while more people are using their credit cards,” said a dealer.

“More credit cards are roaming in the markets this year due to commercial banks policies.”

Anwar Hamid, director of English Boot House said he was running a limited company under this very name with eight outlets in other major shopping centres in the city.

“The children preferred imported shoes from Italy, France and other states including local made quality shoes,” said and added majority of parents concurrently had bought school shoes along with Eid shopping.

“More than 55 percent customers use their plastic money mediums for purchase, it is blessing for us,” said Hassan S Veljee, chief executive of Sputnik Shoe.

He said due to the earthquake customers had been few and far behind, but after 20th of Ramadan sales started picking up.

Muzammil Khan of General Boot House said due to greater competition particularly in Ramadan sale, his shop had to cut rates, which was covered by large turnout.

“20 percent of his customers used credit cards,” he said and added the trend increased this season.

Tahir Khan of Khan and Company said sales volume had gone up after they announced special discounts on some varieties.

M Saleem of Fitrite Footwear said two outlets had registered an increase sales of around 40 percent this Ramadan.

“We have to employ more salesmen on daily basis to cater growing number of customers”, he said. Mr Afzal of Alimson Shoes said this Ramadan he noticed around 35 percent increase in sales.

“We did not entertain credit cards,” he said.

“Even then we were catering some 30 percent more customers this Ramadan to last one.”

The shoe traders in city’s main markets including Tariq Road, M A Jinnah Road, Saddar, Paposh Nagar, Liaquatabad, Clifton and Hyderi Market said the prices of shoes remained at the same level. However, a few varieties were tagged with a little higher rates.

Anwer Khawaja, wholesale merchant at Shoes Selection said, prices of shoes at Mod Shoes, Shoe Corner, Metro Shoes and other such outlets ranged between Rs 850 to Rs 2,100 a pair for all generation.

Sales of shoes at Millennium Shoes, Step In Shoes, Aleena Shoes and Stylish Shoes registered an increase between 35 to 40 percent said Muhammad Sajid of Aleena shoes.

Asif Mahmood, a salesman at Millennium Shoes most of the buyers had preferred China-made shoes for their children, as they were comfortable and comparably cheap.

“Prices of such children shoes range between Rs 250 to Rs 450 a pair,” he added.

“Locally made gents and ladies shoes were being sold at Rs 450 to Rs 990 per pair.”

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