Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — With less than two weeks left for the Eid-ul Fitr, Jeddawis are thronging various markets and shopping malls for Eid shopping creating severe traffic congestion. Although many days are still left for Eid celebration, shoppers have already begun to move in and around to put their choice and many of them are buying goods to avoid unnecessary hazards coming up soon. But this is just around the middle of Ramadan, and many more people are expected to throng malls, markets, shopping plazas and bazaars in the last ten days of the month. The leading big shopping malls, including Red Sea, Mall of Arabia, Al Salam, Al Tahila Center, Haifa Mall and Balad Area are decorated with special gates and banners and illuminated to draw the attention of buyers. Long queues of vehicles could be seen moving bumper-to-bumper on the busy streets. [caption id="attachment_151601" align="alignright" width="300"] Traffic moves at a snail pace.[/caption] Ali Bajneed, who was shopping with his family at one of the major malls in Jeddah, said: "From 15th of Ramadan, you can feel that people have really started shopping. You do not need any special powers to realize that, the busy shopping malls and the traffic jams are good enough to give you a clear idea. I find Eid shopping to be very interesting as I go with my family despite the hectic time I find going from one place to another." According to market sources, price of clothes and other Eid items for babies, children, youths, males and females are higher by up to 40 percent this time than the previous year and the increased costs have no impact on the sales. Mahmoud Saad, a salesman at one of the major stores told Saudi Gazette, that shoppers already started flocking to malls since the beginning of Ramadan. "Although still thin in number, Eid shoppers are already moving in as many of them already bought Eid shopping and those who I call "smart shoppers," he said. With internet use on the rise, e-shopping is becoming popular, and many customers are turning online to buy their Eid clothes and avoid the crowded shopping centers. "Shopping is always fun and when it comes to Eid shopping, it's something I always enjoy," said Sameera Al Othman. "Nowadays, most of us have access to the internet and like many things. You can now order online and have your desired products delivered at your doorsteps instead of going in such jammed nights," she added. She continued: "It›s so easy, just place the order online and get the item right at your door. You don›t need even need to pay before delivery." To avoid traffic congestion, Naser Al Amoudi prefers to do shopping for Eid after Fajr prayer as some malls offer late night shopping during Ramadan. "Every year, we do our Eid shopping at our favorite community mall early in the morning because streets and malls are very convenient to move around to tackle the rush," Al Amoudi said. With people appearing to be on an Eid shopping spirit, the situation is expected to worsen over the next few days.
