SARGODHA – The sale of both new and used winter clothes has surged in Sargodha Division, which includes Bhakkar, Mianwali, Khushab, and Sargodha, as chilly weather continues to grip the region. According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), shops and stalls across the region are now filled with an array of winter apparel, including gloves, woollen hats, mufflers, pullovers, sweater-shirts, jackets, and more. Shoppers can be seen bargaining with retailers in bustling markets and weekly bazaars, with heaps of quilts, bed covers, blankets, and rugs also on display. The cold weather, particularly the chilly nights over the past 15 days, has prompted many residents to rush to local markets for winter clothes and other essentials. In addition to new winter apparel, piles of used quilts, blankets, and rugs are being sold in various markets in Sargodha. Shoukat Ali, a local visitor, noted that due to the government’s efforts to curb inflation, prices for winter clothes have remained stable, with little to no increase compared to last year. Vendors and dealers are reporting brisk business, with their items selling fast. “Our business is doing very well these days as the demand for winter clothes has increased,” said Nouman, a dealer in used clothing at Shaheen Bazaar. Many other dealers and stall owners have expressed relief, with some reporting that their sales have doubled since the cold weather set in. “We expect our sales to rise even more in the coming days,” added another dealer from Station Road. All kinds of clothing and accessories, including gloves, woollen hats, mufflers, pullovers, sweatshirts, and jackets, are on display, attracting large numbers of shoppers.
However, customers are becoming more selective when purchasing used clothing. “People now pay close attention to the quality of the clothes, and they look for bargains,” explained Hakim Ali, a shop owner on Fatima Jinnah Road. Many customers now prefer lightly used clothing from well-known international brands, which are available at lower prices.
Traders often buy clothing in bulk, measured by weight, and then sort it by category—men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. Some buyers are particularly discerning, carefully inspecting the used items and negotiating for lower prices. “Some customers even try to haggle at fixed-price shops,” said one dealer.
In Sillanwali, Lunda bazaars are popular among the poor for their affordable prices. “The price of new winter clothing is out of our reach. We can’t afford new, expensive clothes, especially for our children, so we have to opt for used items,” said Farwa Qadeer, a buyer. She added that occasionally, customers are fortunate enough to find new or unused factory items.
However, many customers are concerned that, despite government efforts to combat artificial inflation, the price of second-hand clothes is also rising. “The prices of used clothes are going up every year,” commented a woman at a Lunda bazaar in Bhakkar.
