MAKKAH — Garment shops in the holy city did a roaring business this Umrah season with an estimated business of SR200 million in Ramadan alone. A record number of pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque thronged the city this year despite soaring temperatures to get peace and tranquility of mind by praying and performing Umrah. The estimated SR200 million business was shared by approximately 400 outlets, Mohammed Awad Al-Salmi, a shop owner, said. He added that clothes for children were the most sold products. Shops dealing with women clothes and traditional and popular garments benefited a lot from the flourishing business in the central area during the holy month. "Most of the goods are imported from China, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia, Al-Salmi said. The estimated profits range between 40 to 60 percent, he said. Mahmoud Tantawi, an Egyptian pilgrim, said: "For pilgrim it is a traditional habit to buy gifts for family members and relatives during Haj and Umrah trips for decades. Because I am here today for Umrah, I should buy gifts for all those who bought gifts for me before. I am going to buy around 30 pieces of clothes for both genders of different ages," he said. The most sought after goods were clothes for children costing somewhere between SR5 to SR35 depending upon the quality and the exporting country. Clothes for small kids and newborns were a bit costlier and were being sold for SR50 to SR70. Marsleen Subairi, an Indonesian pilgrim on his fifth visit to the Kingdom, said he had allocated SR1,000 to SR1400 to buy gifts for his relatives and grandchildren. Subairi said he usually buys the traditional Arabic thob, ghotra and golden headdress. He added that pilgrims also buy various beauty products for women including henna and eyeliners.
