In a recent survey undertaken by the According to the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India has found that the demand of fancy lights, lampshades, Ganesha and Laxmi idols, rangolis to crackers and other such various items are increased by over 45% than the last year.
The market is surging with Chinese products and consumers seem to be making a beeline to buy these attractive and cheap stuff, the survey found.
Over 78% of the costumers said that Chinese lights are almost 50% cheaper as compared to Indian lights and have more variety. Also, it saves nearly 35% of Diwali budget, the survey found.
Local artisans are facing stiff competition to sell their products and are the worst-hit, the study found.
Nearly 72% of the traders said that demand for the earthen diyas dipping year after year and shifting towards fancy and designer diyas for this Diwali to attract maximum buyers. The popularity of China-made fancy lights is because of their cheap prices and the wide variety available in the market.
“A Chinese string of 100 tiny bulbs can be bought in the range of Rs 40 to Rs 60. Lights in the shape of pineapples, pomegranates, rice and net stars among others are seen to be popular among buyers”, added the traders in Sadar Bazaar, the biggest wholesale market in North India.
Nearly 76% of the wholesale dealer of gift items said that the cheap Chinese materials sell like hot cakes and have caught the imagination of middle class shoppers. People use Chinese items because they are very cheap also consume less electricity and even the poor can afford to buy them.
Riding on the same features of variety and affordability, Chinese crackers are also finding more and more takers this Diwali season. Nearly 82% of wholesalers said that Chinese crackers are more colourful, produce more sound and have a lot of variety and they are cheap too and score over their Indian counterparts, said majority of wholesale dealer of crackers.
Mr. Rawat further said that Chinese fireworks are entering India illegally through Nepal to eat the domestic market of Rs. 1800 crore. The Chinese fireworks worth around Rs. 250 crore are circulating in the Indian market and volume could increase if necessary steps are not taken. He also said that the Indian fireworks industry employs around 2.5 lakh people and provides an additional 5 lakhs indirect jobs.
China also made lightweight idols of Hindu gods and goddesses made of polystone for Indian buyers. Hindu deities like Saraswati, Laxmi and Ganesh have been fitted in decorative items and fancy lights and catch the attention of the buyer instantly, added the majority of retailers.
Readymade Chinese rangolis that can be displayed on the floor or the wall are also available at affordable prices, points out the survey.
Chinese products are competing with domestic items in other countries also. A lot of Indian artisans are suffering due to the competition, added Mr. Rawat.
The confetti of cheap Chinese goods like electric streamers, gift items, crockery and other decoratives in the markets has spark demand this seasons.