Shops to Stay Open Till 10pm Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

Shopping malls and retail stores across Bangladesh will be allowed to remain open until 10pm from May 12 until Eid al-Adha to support increased holiday shopping activities.

Currently, most shops are required to close by 7pm under existing energy-saving measures.

Leaders of traders’ associations said the decision was communicated by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku following discussions over preparations for the Eid shopping season.

Bangladesh Shop Owners' Association President Helal Uddin said traders had been urging the government to announce the extended business hours in advance so shop owners could prepare properly for the festive market.

He said uncertainty over closing times had created concerns among traders, as many businesses were hesitant to stock or display goods if stores were required to shut early in the evening.

According to traders, extended business hours are expected to help boost Eid sales and allow customers more time for shopping during the busy holiday period.

Helal Uddin said the minister informed him that shops would be permitted to remain open until 10pm, although decorative lighting and excessive illumination would not be allowed as part of efforts to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

General Secretary of the Bangladesh Shop Business Owners' Association Md Arifur Rahman Tipu also confirmed that business leaders had been informed about the decision.

However, traders are still awaiting an official government notification regarding the revised operating hours. Business leaders believe the move will benefit both consumers and traders ahead of one of the country’s largest shopping seasons.