SAUDI ARABIA

Vendors of winter wear

As brisk weather moves in, it's brisk business for some

January 19, 2018

Saudi Gazette report

TRUCKS carrying winter wear are seen near mosques and markets in neighborhoods these days, selling various types of clothes including jackets and sweaters that help men, women and children protect against the extreme cold.

Abdullah Julaid, a correspondent for the Arabic daily Al-Watan, toured various cities of Najran and Asir provinces to see the activities of these vendors and learn the secret behind the success of their business.

Julaid saw them in Najran city, Dhahran Al-Janoub, Haraja and Sarat Obaida, which are hit by extreme cold weather. He saw a large number of people standing around their pick-up trucks looking for winter clothing that suits their family members.

Some of these vendors sell high quality clothes at cheaper rates than shops and supermarkets. As a result, licensed traders turn against them saying their actions negatively affect their businesses.

Street vendors are afraid of not only licensed traders but also of inspectors from the municipality and the Commerce Ministry inspectors, who seize their products for doing business without a license.

Shops sell sweaters and other winter clothing at high prices exploit the high demand during the winter season. On the other hand, these vendors sell them at low prices taking a meager profit, says Julaid.

Mubarak, a street vendor, said they sell winter clothes from September to January, and then stop their trade as the cold weather disappears.

"This is not an easy job as it requires a lot of patience and perseverance. We have to withstand extreme cold as the trade begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. We purchase clothes from wholesalers in Riyadh and Khamis Mushayt," Mubarak explained.

Mohammed Salim, another vendor, said he had not faced any pressure or trouble from the municipality while doing business near mosques and other public places.

"I know many people who practice this trade to earn a living. But many of them have left the business as they were not lucky enough to continue in this trade. It needs a lot of patience and people have to withstand difficult weather conditions," he added.

Salim said vendors like him often sell the clothes parking their vehicles away from markets to avoid backlash from shop owners because we compete with them in quality and price.

Al-Watan's Julaid said all vendors whom he met had refused to take photos.

Their educational level was either primary or intermediate, he said, adding that most of the vendors praised the municipality for allowing them to sell winter wears understanding their difficult situation.

At the end of winter, these vendors sell fruit and vegetable or operate taxis between regions and cities.


January 19, 2018
1172 views
HIGHLIGHTS
SAUDI ARABIA
14 hours ago

Financial package worth SR312 million launched to support Saudi research laboratories

SAUDI ARABIA
15 hours ago

Renovation of 56 heritage buildings in Historic Jeddah completed  

SAUDI ARABIA
16 hours ago

Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan discuss climate action cooperation