Carpet shops in Sulaimani feel pinch of tightened purse strings
SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — When winter comes around, people in Sulaimani consider buying a carpet – but not this year.
Customers and traders say demand for carpets is low because of a delay in the salaries of government employees and coronavirus.
"Sometimes, buying a carpet is a luxury, as it considered an accessory," said customer Shazad Jamal. "People like to make changes and buy new carpets, but they can't do that because of low incomes and the lack of salaries."
This time last year, carpet shops were bustling with customers. Even though prices have been lowered this year, customers are still not turning up.
"Customers aren't coming in and they aren't buying the carpets. We've lowered the prices, but they aren't interested," Sulaimani carpet shop owner Mohammed Rustam said. "We can't sell anything because there are no salaries (for government employees) and because of the coronavirus. We can't find a market for these carpets."
Carpet prices are lower this year because most carpets come from Iran, a country hit hard by both the coronavirus and US economic sanctions.
Customers are making cheaper, more temporary purchases to tide themselves over for this winter.
"Before, we were selling these carpets for 8,000 dinars ($6.40) per metre, and people had the money to buy them," said Saman Othman, a carpet shop owner in Sulaimani. "But people don't have money now, so they buy these thin carpets for 3,250-3,500 dinars because it wouldn't be a big waste if they have to throw it away next year, if the situation gets better."
Video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
Customers and traders say demand for carpets is low because of a delay in the salaries of government employees and coronavirus.
"Sometimes, buying a carpet is a luxury, as it considered an accessory," said customer Shazad Jamal. "People like to make changes and buy new carpets, but they can't do that because of low incomes and the lack of salaries."
This time last year, carpet shops were bustling with customers. Even though prices have been lowered this year, customers are still not turning up.
"Customers aren't coming in and they aren't buying the carpets. We've lowered the prices, but they aren't interested," Sulaimani carpet shop owner Mohammed Rustam said. "We can't sell anything because there are no salaries (for government employees) and because of the coronavirus. We can't find a market for these carpets."
Carpet prices are lower this year because most carpets come from Iran, a country hit hard by both the coronavirus and US economic sanctions.
Customers are making cheaper, more temporary purchases to tide themselves over for this winter.
"Before, we were selling these carpets for 8,000 dinars ($6.40) per metre, and people had the money to buy them," said Saman Othman, a carpet shop owner in Sulaimani. "But people don't have money now, so they buy these thin carpets for 3,250-3,500 dinars because it wouldn't be a big waste if they have to throw it away next year, if the situation gets better."
Video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed