Cash-strapped citizens resort to footpaths for shopping

Nineteen-year-old Shabbir and his mother visited the busy streets from Saddar, Raja Bazaar to Commercial Market Satellite Town for their shopping. However, after six hours of searching the markets, they returned empty-handed, unable to find anything within their budget.

“Shabbir and his mother now plan to look through the footpath shops for their shopping. Even on the footpaths, prices are sky-high, making it difficult to find anything within my budget. Last year, I could buy a dress even from footpath vendors for quite a reasonable price, but now it has gone beyond my purchasing power,” says Sonia Hasan. “As middle-class family marriages approached, footpath markets in the capital witnessed their parents’ increased foot traffic. They could afford a little bit being primarily from the middle class, while lower-income individuals like me see shopping getting out of their reach,” says Saniya Ali.

“A vendor like me selling shirts in front of a plaza in Raja Bazaar laments the rising clothing prices, making it difficult to cater to low-income customers. Sales have dwindled, with no transactions occurring. Customers show interest but often leave upon learning the prices,” says Ammar Haider. “I can’t maintain low prices as my purchasing prices are high. Last year, I purchased under-shirts at an average cost, but wholesale prices have surged. Despite quoting lower prices, customers expect further discounts, making it hard to sustain profitability, “says Aqeel Turabi.

“Compared to previous years, this year’s market has seen a notable decline in buyers, traders say. Traditionally, shopkeepers experience a surge in sales. However, this year, sales are half that of last year,” says Sohail Naqvi. “I sell children’s clothes on the footpath near Singapore Market. During the same period last year, I made reasonable sales of children’s clothes daily. However, this year, I am only having a poor sale per day. I remain hopeful that sales will improve over time,” says Hamid Ali Shah.

“Even fashionable markets witness fewer sales, with shopkeepers blaming this decline on online shopping’s growing popularity and delayed payments from private companies,” says Ghulam Raza Naqvi. “Clothing items used to cost much less, but now they are priced quite high. Shopkeepers justify the increase by citing rising purchase costs, which make them pass on the added expenses to customers,” says Haider Abbas Rizvi.

“High prices are pervasive across various sectors, including kitchen markets. The widespread impact of inflation is affecting people’s lives without any signs of relief. I want to share my experience of purchasing essential items at higher-than-expected prices,” says Fareena Batool.Shehla Hussain says, “Shopkeepers argue that rising electricity bills, shop rents, and other expenses compel them to incorporate these costs into the prices of the things on sale.