Low turnout, sales put a damper on Ctg trade fair

Turnout is picking up in the second week of the Chittagong International Trade Fair, but sales remain sluggish.

Many exhibitors are offering gifts and discounts to promote their products and boost sales, but in vain.

The turnout was slow in the first week, but the scenario started to change from the second week, said exhibitors at the fair organised by Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the city's Railway Pologround.

However, most visitors are still window shopping as sales are yet to gain momentum, they added.

Rohit Singh from New Delhi, India, said he took part in the trade fair in Dhaka and sales were better there. His stall AAM Fabrics is selling Kashmiri hijabs, scarves, three-piece outfits and Jaypuri bed-sheets.

“We have a poor turnout so far. Our daily sales target was taka one lakh, but we couldn't cross Tk 10,000 so far.”

Unsure of whether he will be able to breakeven, he said, “We will have to pay Tk 4 lakh as stall rent. I don't know if I can get that amount in the coming days.”

Mohammad Mithu, owner of Milan Mela, a stall selling Pakistani three-pieces for women, said youngsters, especially students, were mostly visiting his stall.

“I set a Tk 12 lakh sales target. So far, I merely made it to Tk 2 lakh, even though each piece is being sold at a marginal profit.” Aminur Rahman Hridoy, who brought Pakistani footwear, said his stall is offering 30 percent discount but the response fails to meet expectations.

“We target to sell 2,200 pairs of footwear. So far, we sold around 300 pairs. It seems like I may incur a loss of Tk 2 lakh as I have to pay stall rent.”

Asma Akter Rosy, a salesperson at SS International that is offering health equipment, said the company is offering attractive discounts on diabetes metres and digital blood pressure machines.

“A diabetes metre that has a market price of Tk 1,800 is being offered at Tk 1,250. A digital blood pressure machine worth Tk 3,000 is being offered at Tk 1,750 at the fair.”

However, there was an exception at the three stalls of Ponchoraser Aachar of Siraj Bhai. “There are about 40 kinds of pickles at my stalls,” said Md Siraj Mia, the proprietor. “We have a daily turnover of about Tk 1.5 lakh.”    

“I always try to maintain the quality of the pickles, and customers are quite happy with the taste.”

A total of 35 pavilions and 234 stalls are selling clothes, electronic goods, kitchenware, furniture, food items, cosmetics, jewellery, footwear, health equipment, and garments at the month-long fair that began on March 19.