With the cold spell continuing in the country, souqs and supermarkets are witnessing a sharp increase in the demand for winter clothes, firewood, charcoal and heaters.
Some merchants told local Arabic daily Arrayah that the sale of woolen clothes and accessories have gone up by as much as 60% with residents opting for various types of shawls and jackets in order to resist the cold.
Prices range between QR700 and QR2,000 for quality Kashmiri shawls while some others are available for as low as QR50. According to traders, many youngsters opt for Moroccan jackets without sleeves that are available from QR180 and go up to QR 300.
Mujib Khan, one of the sellers, told Arrayah that winter clothes from various places are available. “The prices vary according to the type of fabric, and readymade items start from QR 350, going up to QR 500, QR850 and QR1,500. Some even more expensive clothes are available for QR2,500.
Blankets are available from QR2,500 to QR4,000 depending the quality of the material.
Rashid Ali, another seller, said shawls of different types are available from QR50. “Citizens are increasingly turning to the shawl, which is considered a distinctive fashion statement during the winter,” he said, adding that Qataris are keen to buy shawls that are light to medium in colour, while many elderly people prefer darker shades.
Trendy jackets for people of all ages are also available in large quantities and varieties in malls and hypermarkets. Also in demand are gloves, scarves and mittens.
Souqs as well as hypermarkets and malls are also witnessing an increase in the sales of firewood and heaters, with many citizens flocking to buy large quantities.
The most commonly sold type of firewood is Turkish while firewood of Tunisian and African Samar trees are also among the ones with a high demand.
Room heaters of different sizes and types, including oil-filled ones, can also be seen stacked up in stores, as people enquire about their prices and quality. The prices of heaters start from QR75, going up to QR350 and beyond in some cases. Traders say they are trying to keep up with the sudden increase in demand.
Turkish and Tunisian firewood is available for around QR35 while an Indonesian charcoal box is sold for QR30. Also, Malaysian firewood costs QR40 for one bundle while firewood from some African countries costs QR80 for a bundle weighing 20kg.
 
 
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