200 IPS units sold in a month during load shedding, then empty shelves and no new stock

In August 2022 a Business Standard reporter visited Dhaka's Bangabandhu National Stadium Market, Baitul Mukarram Market, Nawabpur Electronics Market and Nawabpur Ershad Market in Old Dhaka and found IPS units out of stock almost everywhere. A seller in Nawabpur Ershad Market said every IPS in his shop had sold out 15 days earlier and he had sold at least 200 units that month. An electronics shop in Moon Complex reported selling about 500 IPS units since Eid-ul-Azha. Another seller in Stadium Market said his stock was gone and no new supply had arrived. Prices rose with the rush: a customer said a non-brand IPS normally priced at Tk 15,000 was selling for Tk 20,000-22,000. Meanwhile an entrepreneur in Patuatuli said iron sheet prices had passed Tk 100 per kg, squeezing margins despite higher demand. The managing director of a major battery and IPS maker said demand had risen three to four times since July and supply could not keep up; he expected the crisis to ease in two to three months but warned prices would likely rise further because of the dollar's appreciation.