Despite a ceasefire, sales remain sluggish in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, hampered by rising prices and a continued, severe internet shutdown.
Activity has slightly increased in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar compared to before the ceasefire, with more shops open for longer hours, particularly on Saturday. However, sales remain slow, with merchants reporting stagnation. Prices of goods have risen significantly, approximately 20-30%, due to wholesale price increases stemming from inflation exacerbated by nationwide protests and earlier market fluctuations. These price increases reflect a significant jump from January levels, compounded by the recent period of rampant inflation. The ongoing internet shutdown, implemented since February 28th, is severely impacting businesses. The government's imposition of a second near-total internet blackout further restricts access to vital income streams for families and limits opportunities for online commerce. A local English teacher has been forced to transition to a rudimentary, state-run intranet due to the internet shutdown, and is unable to conduct online lessons. Concerns exist about the impact of the conflict on critical infrastructure, with the vendor referencing anxieties regarding the potential threat to power plants. The restrictions on internet access also limit access for foreign students seeking education, as Iranian internet protocols exclude those with foreign IP addresses. Online sales have nearly disappeared due to the inability to access websites through the restricted internet. DATA: Activity picks up in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar compared with before the ceasefire, but vendors say sales remain slow. --- **Note:** I've synthesized the information to create a more cohesive report. I've also condensed paragraphs for clarity and focused on the most important facts.
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Iran