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Published : 08 Apr 2026, 01:38 AM
Retailers in Dhaka report a 10–30 percent drop in sales following the government’s directive to close shops by 7pm, excluding medicine and essential goods, as part of energy conservation amid a fuel crisis.
While wholesale trade continues smoothly during the day, businesses face new challenges in courier shipments and evening accounting.
Buyers also struggle to adjust to shopping earlier, citing daytime heat and work schedules.
Many suggest shifting shop hours to 12pm–8pm to maintain sales.
The government’s decision, revised from 6pm closures after appeals by traders’ associations, was announced by State Minister for Power Aninda Islam Amit.
Offices now operate 9am–4pm, while shops, markets, and malls close at 7pm.
Retailers say evening closures prevent customers from visiting.
Rayan Electric owner Ramzan Ali said, “Shoppers come after work, check a few products, bargain, then leave. Now, with a 7pm closure, footfall has dropped and we have to lock shops during peak hours. Post-Eid sales were already slow; now they’ve fallen around 20 percent.”
Selim Electronics owner Mohammad Selim added, “Wholesalers buy during the day, and we arrange courier shipments and payments after 6pm. Now, with shops closed, collection and dispatch are delayed, creating accounting headaches.”
Traders in Gulistan and Mouchak markets report similar losses. Mouchak’s jewelry seller Abdur Rashid noted, “Girls prefer shiny items that sparkle under lights. Daytime displays don’t attract them; closing at 7pm has cut sales by 30 percent in just a few days.”
Market authorities struggle to balance electricity savings with customer service.
Shovon Garments owner Tofazzal Hossain said, “Lights are turned off section by section, but we must continue selling. Customers cannot be rushed out.”
Retailers urge the government to reconsider daytime closures and allow longer evening hours to restore sales and ease operational pressures.
