LAHORE: Shops and carts offering used clothes and shoes drew crowds while the turnout of customers at other markets remained much low compared to previous year’s last Sunday of Ramazan.

Lunda Bazaar, empty plots opposite the Haji Camp on Empress Road, Bharat Building near Mayo Hospital, Bund Road near Yateem Khana and Ferozepur Road outside the Ichhra main bazaar are the ‘wholesale’ markets frequented mostly by lower-middle class to get used clothes and shoes round the year.

Carts and shops offering used clothes, shoes and toys attracted most customers who had started arriving at these places around 10am. Prices of all kinds of used clothes and shoes had registered an increase of 10-15 per cent, making many customers give a second thought before buying any item.

“Of course, the prices are high here but still affordable. I have visited Anarkali, Rang Mahal and Ichhra but could not get one jeans each for my three children within my range,” said Tariq while sorting out pants at a cart at the Lunda Bazaar.

Bano Bazaar of Anarkali, Rang Mahal, Ichhra Bazaar, Panorama Centre on The Mall and shopping centres opposite to it, Moon and Karim Block markets of Iqbal Town, Auriga Complex in Gulberg, Liberty Market, Link Model Town Road, Township and Fortress Stadium started attracting customers, mostly women, an hour or so after Iftaar.

Sale of clothing, cosmetics and shoes was at its peak while ‘seasonal’ traders had set up stalls displaying bangles, mehndi and artificial jewellery in these markets.

Bangles from Hyderabad, mehndi from Rajasthan, artificial jewellery from India, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea remain in great demand though a majority of the customers was found complaining against the price hike, saying it was making it difficult for them to buy things of their choices.

“A set of bangles being sold between Rs100 and Rs150 last Sunday is now available between Rs300 and Rs350,” Saira, a housewife, told Dawn outside Bano Bazaar.

Paucity of parking space, with a good number of beggars chasing everyone alighting from cars and rickshaws, make the otherwise pleasant activity a bit tiresome, especially for men who accompany their better halves to these places.

Dyers and tailors remain the focus of women’s anger as they either cannot fulfill their promise to deliver clothes in time or the fitting, design and finishing are not up to the mark.

Commercial activity at wholesale markets dealing in different commodities was at its peak in the provincial metropolis largely owing to Eid-related buying spree by retailers from all over the province.

Shahalam Market has become a hub of commercial activity these days as retailers from different parts of the province routinely visit the country’s biggest wholesale market to purchase a variety of imported and local items.

Adjacent markets like Rang Mahal, Azam Cloth Market, Pakistan Cloth Market and Moti Bazaar Shoe Market have also become busy places nowadays.

Packs of vermicelli had been displayed prominently at almost every sweets and confectionery shop in every locality.