From Navana Shopping centre at Gulshan to Rapa Plaza in Dhanmadi, the city's markets are crowded with customers who are making the last minute purchase. Shopping arcades at Elephant Road, Eastern Plaza, New Market, Polwel Market, City Heart and Ramna Bhaban attracted a substantial number of shoppers.

The whole city now looks like a vast market humming with frenzied shoppers although there were less traffic on the roads compared to the recent days.

"Today I have come in search of a pair of shoes, which I couldn't find earlier," said Sharjid Ahmed at Galarie Apex at Gulshan.

"I don't know whether I need to come again on the Chand raat (the night before the Eid day) to buy something else," he said.

"So far I have bought my cloths including trousers, shirt, shoes," said Sharjid, a student of a private university adding that he needs to buy a panjabi and pajamas.

"I shall try to buy those today, if can't I'll come again on the chand raat, when there will be discounts from sellers due to the last minute clearance sale.

Sharjid's sister Shami accompanied him, as she needs some bangles and cosmetics to go with the new dress she bought for the occasion.

When boys are looking for their clothes, girls are also thronging the shopping malls for their apparels.

Women crowded mostly the shopping centres at ARA Plaza, Rapa Plaza, Riffle Square, Jahanara Bhaban and the other adjacent shopping malls.

Designers' boutique shops including K Crafts, Anjan's, OG, Dressy Dale and Soul Dance were able to attract many customers. On the other hand, traditional handicrafts and clothing shops Aarong, Nipun, Kumudini, Grameen Fashion and Grameen Uddog catered to a large number of customers.

Retailers of brand items like Arrow, Wrangler, Lee, Levis, Van Heusen, Park Avenue, Reebok and Nike attracted a wide range of customers, too.

"Young people are increasingly showing interest in brand items," said a salesman at a Reebok shop at Elephant Road.

"I have come here although we have bought almost everything necessary for Eid. But there are also some other items remaining on the list, it never ends," said Shahana, a shopper at ARA Centre.

One shopkeeper at Eastern Plaza said, "So far we have cleared majority of our stocks and are now trying to sell some of the remaining stuffs.

"Even we are offering a reduction as trendy items will become old after the Eid," Sarwar, a shopkeeper, added.

Midnight shopping is continuing almost in all shopping malls as customers are streaming in. Shopkeepers are keeping their shops open till late at night. "Last year we had kept our shop open till two in the morning," said a shoe seller at Elephant Road.

"If law and order permits we hope to do so this year," he added.