News Flash
DHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - As winter tightens its grip across the country, daily life in the capital has also been affected by the cold.
Dense fog blankets the surroundings before dawn, while the mild winter sun offers little warmth and often disappears within a short time.
With the onset of the season, brisk sales of winter clothing have begun on footpaths across the capital, particularly in Old Dhaka, Gulistan, Paltan and Motijheel.
From 10am to 10pm, footpaths are lined with makeshift stalls displaying a wide range of seasonal wear.
Jackets, coats, sweaters, hoodies, mufflers, woolen caps, socks, gloves, blankets, shawls and comforters are on offer.
Due to comparatively lower prices, these stalls have become popular among low-income, lower-middle-class and middle-class buyers.
Busy areas such as Purana Paltan, Motijheel, Gulistan, Laxmibazar, Nababazar and Sadarghat have seen footpaths crowded with winter clothing vendors.
Prices range from as low as Tk 50 for mufflers to around Tk 1,000 for hoodies or blankets.
A visit to Purana Paltan and Motijheel shows office-goers and people on daily errands stopping by roadside stalls to browse and purchase warm clothes.
As prominent office zones, the areas witness steady crowds from morning with many customers carrying jackets, hoodies and sweaters.
Vendors said office-going people are their main customers, although passers-by also make regular purchases.
Easy availability, affordable prices and the opportunity to bargain are key reasons behind the growing footpath trade.
Saiful Islam, an employee of a private firm in Paltan, told BSS that he often checks footpath stalls on his way to work.
He recently bought a jacket for Tk 1,500. "The same item would cost almost double in a shopping mall. Here, the price is reasonable for the quality, and it also saves time," he said.
Some customers, however, pointed out that product quality varies and items need to be examined carefully before buying.
Still, during the winter season, Purana Paltan remains a dependable shopping destination for many middle-class office workers.
In Old Dhaka, footpaths stretching from Bahadur Shah Park near Kabi Nazrul College to Shaheed Suhrawardy College have turned into lively winter clothing markets, with sales picking up from the afternoon onwards.
Mohammad Rashid, a winter-wear-vendor near Kabi Nazrul College, told BSS that customer turnout has increased with the falling temperature, particularly in the evening when office workers and local residents visit the stalls.
Jackets, sweaters, hoodies and mufflers are selling the most, he added.
Near Mohanagar Mohila College, children's winter clothing seller Md Sarwar said demand has risen over the past week as the cold intensified.
He expected sales to increase further if temperatures drop in the coming days.
At Laxmibazar, Abdul Karim, a launch passenger from Sadarghat, told BSS that he usually completes several errands when visiting Dhaka from his village.
"Winter has begun, so I am buying warm clothes for my family from here. Prices are lower, bargaining is possible and it is easy to carry the items back by launch," he said.
Meanwhile, Gulistan, the heart of the capital, remains bustling from morning until midnight with vendors and buyers calling out prices.
Footpaths near the north-west gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque, the Bangabandhu Avenue Hawkers' Association Market and areas around Gulistan intersection are crowded with shoppers seeking affordable winter wear.
Jahir Uddin, who runs a T-shirt stall east of Golap Shah Mazar in Gulistan, told BSS that many customers prefer full-sleeve T-shirts and light sweaters instead of heavy jackets, particularly young people and office-goers.
Garment worker Mohammad Moniruzzaman, shopping in Gulistan, said the cold is felt more during early morning and late-night working hours.
"I was looking for a sweater that is not too heavy but suitable for work. You can find good clothes at lower prices here, which is why I came with a friend," he said.
