Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, online shopping in Bangladesh is picking up pace. Entrepreneurs are hopeful of strong sales during the first Eid under the new government. Although the bulk of purchases has yet to begin, many expect a surge in orders in the coming days.
Online shopping has been popular in the country for several years, allowing consumers to purchase almost anything from home. Items ranging from three-piece sets, lipsticks, Punjabi and sarees to women's jewellery, cosmetics, handicrafts and everyday essentials are readily available online. E-commerce websites and Facebook pages operate year-round, but Eid-centric shopping is typically much more active. This year, the festive shopping season began around mid-Ramadan.
Sources say there are nearly 500,000 entrepreneur-focused Facebook pages in the country. While exact figures are unavailable, some estimates suggest the number could be as high as one million. The E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) has around 3,000 members. Active Facebook commerce entrepreneurs number between 200,000 and 250,000, while pages offering regular sales and services exceed 60,000. Both Facebook-based and e-commerce entrepreneurs are preparing ambitious sales plans for this Eid.
A representative of a Facebook page selling Pakistani three-piece sets, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Jago News, “Last Eid, we earned nearly Tk 1 crore. This year, we aim for Tk 1.5 crore in profit. Our daily sales range between Tk 5 lakh and Tk 7 lakh.”
At a cosmetics page operated from the Farmgate area, parcels are being shipped daily, indicating healthy sales.
Iqbal, an online clothing entrepreneur, told Jago News, “Sales are picking up this year. Eid shopping has essentially started early. We hope this year’s sales will surpass last year’s.”
Atif, who runs a cosmetics page, said, “Currently, global issues are affecting social media impressions due to the ongoing war. Things had been slow for a while. Compared to a few days ago, it’s slightly better. Before the election, it was worse. We expect the main Eid sales to begin within the next couple of days.”
SM Zihad, an entrepreneur at the cosmetics page Seven Star Beauty, told Jago News, “Online shopping is going well. People seem ready to shop. Most will start purchasing after receiving their salaries at the beginning of the month. Some have already begun, but the true festive mood in online sales has yet to fully arrive.”
Mossammat Sirajum Monira, an entrepreneur at the handicrafts and boutique company ‘Sutar Kabya,’ said, “Sales largely depend on advertising. When posts are boosted, sales increase accordingly. This year, sales are lower than before. During Eid in previous years, there used to be a huge rush. Wholesale is performing well, but single-item sales are about half of last year’s.”
Kaniz Fatema Tania, entrepreneur of ‘Tanoy Creations,’ which sells Jamdani and Tangail sarees and batik three-piece sets through Facebook pages and showrooms, said, “Previously, people often received two salaries before Eid. This year, it appears that many will receive only one. Many have not yet been paid. That’s why sales during the first 10 days of Ramadan have been slow. Daily sales, which usually exceed Tk 1 lakh, have ranged between Tk 20,000 and Tk 30,000, occasionally reaching Tk 50,000. We expect purchases to increase once salaries are credited.”
Jannatul Haque Shapla, CEO of Azure Cuisine and a member of e-CAB’s supporting committee, told Jago News that online shopping trends this year are more promising than in previous years.
“E-commerce is no longer limited to major cities; it has reached remote areas. People now shop online not only for convenience but also out of trust and necessity. During festivals, order volumes often multiply, and this year is no different,” she said.
She added that women entrepreneurs across the country are reaching customers nationwide through Facebook commerce and e-commerce platforms.
“Earlier, online sales were mostly limited to clothing and cosmetics. Now, everything from household items to organic foods and electronics is being sold extensively. Our goal at e-CAB is to make the platform safer and more efficient, so that consumers are not deceived and entrepreneurs receive fair value.”
Shapla emphasised, “Online shopping is no longer just an alternative; it has become a major driver of the economy. I urge consumers to trust and support products made by women entrepreneurs and to buy locally produced goods.”