Retailers of branded apparel, shoes and cosmetics in Bangladesh got a fairly good response from customers upon offering discounts and cashback on Black Friday amid high inflationary pressure and political uncertainty in the country.

Retailers said they offered different discounts and cashback opportunities to encourage shopping as winter approaches.

Besides, there were some seasonal products in stock from the summer, which would be difficult to sell next summer. So, discounts were being offered on those products, they added.

Black Friday is a consumer holiday that started in the US but has since spread to other parts of the world. Many countries, like Canada, England, India, and Australia, have adopted this shopping tradition.

On this occasion, which begins following the Thanksgiving Day celebrations in the US, retailers in the West offer huge discounts on various products to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season.

As such, some Bangladeshi retailers also offered discounts for three days on the occasion and got fairly good responses for their products.

During a visit to Bashundhara City recently, it was seen that discounts were being offered by most brands, with customers flocking to the outlets.

Nur Alam Jibon, branch manager of an outlet of Fiona, a retailer of clothes, shoes and accessories at the Bashundhara City shopping mall, said business had been slowing down due to persistent inflation and political uncertainty.

"It has become very difficult to break even. So, discounts are being offered. We are getting a good response from customers," he added.

Jibon mentioned that they are offering discounts ranging from 26 to 50 percent on various products.

Low and middle-income earners in Bangladesh have been bearing the brunt of persistent inflation for a long time, with overall inflation hovering above 9 percent since March 2023.

Inflation hit a four-month high of 11.38 percent in November driven by soaring food prices, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Mehadi Hassan, assistant manager of a Gentle Park outlet at Bashundhara City, said various types of discounts have been offered to encourage people to shop ahead of winter.

"We are offering discounts ranging from 40 to 60 percent on various products. The products which had a 70 percent discount offer have already sold out," he added.

Robin Mia, supervisor of an MBRELLA outlet at the same mall, said when customers come to the outlet, their first question is whether discounts are applicable on all products.

"Although sales have not been as expected, a good number of customers come every day," he added.

He informed that they have been offering discounts ranging from 20 to 30 percent since mid-October.

"Products that were marked 50 percent off have sold out. Discounts are currently available on winter products," he added.

Mohammad Emdadul Haque, manager of an Infinity outlet at the same mall, said they are offering 50 to 60 percent discounts on kid's shirts and jackets.

He added that there are a good number of customers present at his shop each day and sales will only increase as the weather gets cooler.

Gazi Mahbub Roni, branch manager of an Artisan outlet at Mirpur-1, said they had offered 20 to 30 percent discounts on all products for three days since last Thursday on the occasion of Black Friday.

"It is an international culture. That's why we implemented it too. But although sales have been good, it is not as expected because it is not that cold yet in Dhaka," he added.

An official of a MICLO outlet in the Science Lab area of Dhanmondi said different types of discounts and offers, including free gifts for multiple purchases, have been offered since November 23.

"Considering the overall situation in the country, the response from customers is quite good. Because in this situation, the consumer confidence is quite low," the official added.

Raihan Kabir, head of marketing and e-commerce at Apex Footwear, said discount offers are running at limited outlets on select items of shoes and apparel.

"Business was lost due to recent political unrest. So, discounts have been offered to compensate for the loss," he added.

Kabir further said that although the response from customers has been good, it is still not enough to recover the losses stemming from the recent political unrest.

Mahmudur Rahman, manager of Focallure Bangladesh, a retailer that sells branded cosmetics through seven outlets across Dhaka, said they have been offering discounts ranging from 20 to 70 percent since the second week of November.

"However, sales are down by about 25 percent year-on-year," he added.