But in modern times, artificial flowers are competing with natural ones and both are becoming dearer in the process. [break]
Artificial flowers have become expensive by an additional 30 percent this year compared to last year. Traders say the increment in price is due to increasing value of Chinese currency against Nepali rupee and transportation charges.
According to Reena Shahi, sales executive at Florence in China Town Shopping Center, new varieties of flowers are available in the market but the customers will have to pay an additional amount compared to last year.
At Florence, price of artificial flowers, which were priced at Rs 500 earlier, now costs Rs 800, while a bouquet which was available in the range of Rs 1,000 has gone up by Rs 500. The price of floating flowers has also gone up by Rs 50. The price of this product ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 250.
Artificial flowers are popular these days. Customers say they prefer to buy artificial flowers as they look so much like natural flowers and are available in different varieties.
Prem Lal Shrestha of Archies Cards and Gift Shop at Battisputali has been dealing in artificial flowers for almost five years. Shrestha agrees that artificial flowers are one of the most feasible décor accessories. “You can maintain them with minimum care and regular dusting. They´re practically hassle-free,” says Shrestha.
For the greener décor, we can bring in some big artificial plants, from ferns to bamboos and more. Priced around Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, they´re great addition to indoors and porches. Price of artificial flowers has gone up due to various reasons, one of them being increasing demand of the flowers in local market.
“Variety of flowers are available in the market such as rose, tulip, lily, lotus, cherry blossom and many more. All these flowers are imported from China,” Shrestha said. He echoed Shahi adding that the price is up 20 to 30 percent this year.
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