Increase in prices of raw materials in both local and international market and rise in labor cost are the major reasons behind heavy rise in prices. Price of cotton yarn - a key raw material - has increased by more than 80 percent in international market over the period. [break]
“Apparels and footwear imported from China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh have become expensive this year as compared to last year,” said Pahal Gurung, director of Bhat-Bhateni Department Store.
Prices of locally manufactured products have also increased by about 10-15 percent during the period, compared to last year.
“There have been heavy rises in overall processing and manufacturing cost of garments and shoes in the market this year. Along with cotton, other key raw materials polyester has become expensive by 70-80 percent this year,” said an official at Surya Nepal.
Similarly, hike in transportation cost is the other factor that has affected price of clothing and shoes during the period. Garment importers said heavy rise in prices is affecting sales badly.
Neelam Gurung, a retailer at Civil Mall, said increase in airfare and rise in price of cotton in international market have made garments expensive. “Earlier, prices used to rise by about 5 percent. This year prices of clothing and foot wears have increased by as much as 15 percent,” she added.
Because of heavy rice in price of fabrics in international market, traders have started buying apparels with blended fabrics instead of pure ones. “Instead of products made of pure linen and cotton fabrics, the market is seeing influx of products made of synthetic fibers and a blend of cotton, polyester, satin and chiffon among others,” said the official of Surya Nepal.
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