However, the growing demands for readymade garments have failed to give desired return to the persons involved in the industry. Ashok Paddar of Amit Garments Store at Sundhara, who has been in the readymade garment business for the last three years, says the market of readymade garments have gone down in recent years. [break]
Punam Dhital, who was seen buying clothing at a readymade garment store at Sundhara, said she prefers readymade garment products because they are relatively cheaper. “I prefer readymade garments over branded wears also because they come in various designs and exciting colors,” she added.
Increasing number of big shopping malls that attract lots of shoppers with their modern facilities and exclusive stores has been one of the threats to locally stitched garments.
“Emerging shopping complexes assure consumers with fixed price rates and many people believe that branded items are quality products,” Manoj Gupta of Punam Readymade Garments at Sundhara told myrepublica.com. “Those who are into locally made garments business, however, lack these traits.”
Slowdown in business and lack of business doing environment in the country has forced many garment manufacturers to down their shutters in recent years.
“Most of local garment factories have stopped manufacturing due to the political instability and uncertain economic scenario in the country,” Gupta said, adding that export of Nepali garments has nosedived in recent years. “If the current economic scenario continued any further, the ailing garment industry will never recover.”
Readymade garment stores offer almost all modern clothing, including fashionable T-shirts, skirts and jeans products, among others. Prices of these products range between Rs 100 to Rs 1,500. Fabrics for readymade garments are mostly imported from India and China.
To compete with super markets, these stores are also coming up with special sales and discount offers. Most of the readymade garment manufacturers are based in Kalimati and Kalanki area.
“Locally stitched readymade garments kept for sale in Thamel area, however, are relatively expensive as they are meant for foreign tourists,” Paddar added.
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