Pakintani Consumers returning to markets

[LahoreEstate]

Sunday, February 08, 2009
By Faryal Najeeb

KARACHI: Pakistanis are returning to shopping with zest and zeal at special events and bazaars, say exhibitors, as despite continuing economic crisis, many have learnt to cope with the situation and have changed their lifestyles to adapt to the new realities.

The ‘Vision of Prosperity’, a three-day expo organised by the All Pakistan Memon Federation is being held at the Karachi Expo Centre from February 6 to 8. The exhibition focuses on families and includes a large variety of both local and foreign brands in food items, beverages, home appliances, clothing, telecommunications and housing.

Several exhibitors at the event said they had participated in various other exhibitions in recent months and failed to receive good response which they were finally witnessing again. Some even said families made purchases for the entire month which was a rather unusual practice. A sales representative of a local spices brand, Syed Mahmood, commented that he had to order extra stock of products. “I am at a loss why people are buying so much as this isn’t a trend that we are seeing here,” he stated. “Our daily business isn’t so great and we have experienced a fall in total sales of our brand products so the sales that we are making here do not really reflect the true reality. But who wants to complain,” Mahmood points out.

On the other hand, most exhibitors were of the view that good times were returning eventually in terms of businesses. They said since the people had lost hope in the new government just as in the previous one, many had adjusted to the inflated prices and weakening economy, and had revised their lives to a new routine.

“Pakistan is a consumer-based society and though traders may face a temporary blow, they aren’t likely to go out of business especially if they are related to food and beverage industry,” expressed Adeel Ahmed, an exhibitor. “Even at this exhibition, only those stalls are successful which are selling items like essential commodities, candies and personal care products entailing soaps and detergents,” he added.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=161332