Government Extends Shopping Mall Hours Until 10 PM Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

Government Extends Shopping Mall Hours Until 10 PM Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

The government has officially extended the operating hours of shopping malls, markets, and shops across the country until 10 PM in preparation for the holy Eid-ul-Adha. The extended schedule took effect from Tuesday, May 12, and will remain in place through the day of Eid, giving millions of shoppers additional time to complete their festive purchases.

The decision was formalized through an official government notice signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Masudur Rahman Masud of the Coordination-2 Branch of the Power Division, operating under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. The notice was issued on Tuesday, May 12, and communicated to relevant retail and commercial authorities nationwide.

An Official Response to Festive Demand

Eid-ul-Adha is among the most significant religious and cultural celebrations in Bangladesh, and the days leading up to the holiday traditionally see a dramatic surge in consumer activity. Families across the country shop for sacrificial animals, new clothing, household goods, food items, and gifts during this period, placing enormous pressure on retail centers and local markets to accommodate high volumes of visitors within their standard operating hours.

By extending closing time to 10 PM, the government aims to ease the strain on commercial areas during peak daytime and early evening hours. The decision allows shoppers who are occupied with work or other responsibilities during the day to visit markets and malls in the later hours of the evening without the pressure of an early closing time.

The extended hours apply uniformly to shopping malls, general markets, and individual shops, ensuring that both large retail complexes and smaller neighborhood outlets operate under the same schedule through the Eid holiday period.

Power Division Issues the Directive

The involvement of the Power Division in issuing this notice reflects the administrative coordination required to support extended commercial hours. Keeping retail establishments open for longer periods demands sustained electricity supply, particularly in a season when energy consumption already rises due to warm weather and increased economic activity.

The directive issued by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Masudur Rahman Masud signals a coordinated approach between the energy sector and the retail industry to ensure that the extended hours are operationally viable. Retail centers and market operators have been implicitly called upon to prepare their facilities, staffing, and energy requirements to support the longer trading window without disruption to consumers.

What Shoppers Need to Know

The extended 10 PM closing time is effective from Tuesday, May 12, and will continue without interruption through the day of Eid-ul-Adha. Shoppers planning to visit malls or markets during this period should note the following:

All major shopping malls, commercial markets, and retail shops fall under the scope of this government decision. Late-evening shopping slots between 8 PM and 10 PM are expected to offer a comparatively less crowded environment for those who prefer a more relaxed experience. Food courts, restaurants, and service outlets within commercial complexes are also anticipated to remain open during the extended hours. Shoppers are advised to make transport arrangements in advance, as demand for public and private transport around commercial hubs is expected to rise during the late evening period.

A Welcome Decision for Traders and Consumers

The extension of trading hours has been broadly welcomed by both the business community and the general public. For traders and vendors, the longer hours represent a meaningful opportunity to increase sales volume during one of the most commercially significant periods of the year. Independent retailers, clothing vendors, and food merchants in particular are expected to benefit from the increased foot traffic that late-evening hours traditionally attract in the days before Eid.

For consumers, the decision reduces the pressure of shopping within a narrow daytime window and offers greater flexibility for families to plan their Eid preparations at a pace and time that suits them. Consumer affairs authorities have reminded market operators that pricing must remain fair and transparent throughout the extended period, and that any reports of artificial price inflation or consumer exploitation will be acted upon promptly.

As Eid-ul-Adha approaches, commercial areas across Bangladesh are gearing up for one of their busiest and most festive trading periods of the year. With shopping now officially permitted until 10 PM through to Eid day, both shoppers and retailers have every reason to make the most of the extended opportunity this holy season brings.