The markets in the city of Damascus are witnessing a decline in the sales of women's abayas and caftans during the holy month of Ramadan, and the diverse voices welcoming their various styles are disappearing. What are the reasons behind this decline? And why does it seem that the real competition is taking place between Syrians inside the country and those who have migrated abroad?
The markets in Damascus are known for their wide range of luxurious abayas and caftans. The price of an abaya made of Jessica fabric ranges between 250,000 and 300,000 Syrian pounds, while the price of an embroidered knitted abaya can reach up to 325,000 Syrian pounds. On the other hand, the cost of a velvet abaya is around 350,000 Syrian pounds, and the price of a distinguished Jessica abaya with lace exceeds 425,000 Syrian pounds. The high cost is not limited to that, as there are abayas adorned with pearls and diamonds that can reach a value of 432,000 Syrian pounds, and some luxurious abayas exceed the 700,000 Syrian pound mark and even reach one million. As for the Ramadan caftan, its prices range around 650,000 Syrian pounds on average.
With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, the focus on abayas and caftans turns into a commercial season that traders exploit greatly. Many girls prefer to purchase abayas to keep up with the latest fashion trends. Despite the decline in buying and selling activities in the Syrian markets during Ramadan, the demand for Ramadan abayas still exists, but it remains limited to those who can afford to buy them.
Prices in Syria have witnessed a noticeable increase recently, surpassing double the percentage compared to the previous year. This increase can be attributed to several factors, including the rise in the exchange rate of the dollar, the increase in the cost of electricity and energy, the increase in labor wages, and the increase in taxes. It is worth mentioning that most of the raw materials used in the garment industry are imported and are affected by the exchange rate of foreign currencies, which directly reflects on the prices of the final products.
It is difficult for the Chamber of Industry to control the prices of garments in the markets, as the places where garments are sold, the type of fabric used, and the embroidery present on the garment all play a role in determining the prices. For example, the rent and taxes differ in different locations, and therefore the garment is sold based on the customers who visit these stores. The main factor that governs the price is the presence of competition in the market, and customers choose what suits them in terms of quality and price.
