Increasing demand for men's accessories ahead of Eid al-Fitr

Men's accessories shops and tailors' have started to receive an increasing turnout of customers ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr.

Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that shops in various souqs across Doha are receiving more men looking for accessories and new clothes for them and their children. The most sought items these days at such shops include men's leather slippers, head cover, perfumes and other accessories. The shop owners and operators have started to launch various offers and promotions to attract as many customers as possible during this peak of seasonal shopping. These promotions include buy-one-get-one or various percentages of discount on selected items. The sellers stressed that the season has started early this year and all indicators show that the sales are going to increase substantially compared to the same period in the last two years.The sales of the four Eids during the past two years affected by the Covid-19 pandemic had dropped to the lowest point, some traders said. However, they pointed out that the prices of most items have remained the same for many years and prices vary from type to type according to the quality, brand and place of origin. Further, the readymade clothes and accessories are often cheaper than those tailored on demand. Hamad Jaralla, a shopper, said that the retail prices of men's accessories and clothing at the popular souqs are reasonable and often cater to the different demands and needs of various customers. He said that he usually go for Souq Al Ali, where he can find all he wants for himself and his children. He estimated that accessories for a child could cost QR150- 200 in addition to the new clothes for Eid which could range from QR500 to QR700.Saleh al-Hatmi, another shopper, said that the shops offer a variety of options for the customers and all of them are keen to attract and retain those who have been frequenting them for a number of years.Rashid Mohamed, a shopper, said the shops at the old traditional Souqs such as Souq Waqif, Souq Al Ali and Al Wakra Old Souq still maintain the same retail prices of the past few years. Besides, customers can bargain with the seller to get the best deal for both, he added.