Traders demand to keep shops open until 10pm

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has written to the Prime Minister demanding that shops, markets and shopping malls in the country be kept open from 12 noon to 10pm every day.

The leaders of the organization say that due to the current decision to keep shops closed after 7pm, retail business is being severely affected and the livelihood of lakhs of businessmen and employees is at risk.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday, Bangladesh Shop Owners Association president Nazmul Hasan and general secretary Arifur Rahman made this demand.

In the letter, they mentioned that the cost of running a business has increased significantly in recent times. Businessmen are in a difficult situation due to the continuous increase in shop rent, electricity bills, bank loan installments, employee salaries and allowances and other operating expenses.

In the meantime, the obligation to keep shops closed after 7 pm is creating additional pressure on businesses.

Business leaders said that most employed and busy people do not get the opportunity to shop during the day. They usually come to the market in the afternoon or evening. As a result, if shops are not allowed to remain open until 10 pm, traders are deprived of potential sales.

This not only narrows the scope of business but also threatens employment.
The letter claims that if shops and shopping malls are allowed to remain open until 10 pm, the livelihood of about 7 million shopkeepers and employees in the country will be protected. At the same time, business and trade will expand, the government’s revenue will increase, and overall economic activities will be more dynamic.