Traders have started displaying winter clothing lines at their shops and stalls, expecting the mercury to drop with the onset of November. But sellers at the wholesale level are reporting a dearth of buyers so far in Dhaka’s traditionally large wholesale markets. Increased prices of the clothing items, just like almost any other item, fears of an impending famine to go with a global recession in 2023, and an overall climate of economic uncertainty might be causing consumers to stay away. Since October, wholesale traders in the capital have stocked their shops and warehouses with winter clothes. They are worried about business this year due to various fears, including late onset of winter, political uncertainty in the country, and global economic instability. Read: Bagerhat's Dublar Char abuzz as fish drying season begins Visiting different wholesale shops in Bangabazar, City Plaza, Zakir Plaza, Nagar Plaza, Dhaka Trade Center, Gulshan, and Banani DNCC markets, UNB found them filled with different items of winter clothing, but the same couldn’t be said for buyers. Traders are spending a lot of idle time waiting for buyers. Rabiul Alam, a trader at Bangabazar, told UNB that business remains uncertain with the higher cost of inputs and the lower presence of customers in the markets. He said the price of blankets is a little high compared to last year, due to increased cost of raw materials, and other costs. Read More: Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy’ this morning as winter approaches Usually by this time of year, the Bangabazar traders are busy selling blankets and other gear meant to withstand the rigours of winter. But this year the winter is arriving late and the market is witnessing a ‘down’ season. Most of them were busy preparing blanket-packed cartons to be sent to different districts by courier.