Winter apparel expensive by 10 to 15 percent

KATHMANDU, Nov 5: Price of winter outfits has gone up by as much as 15 percent this year as compared to the last year.



Traders say that the hefty increase in customs duty followed the surge in the valuation of Baht and the combined effect has made most of the winter outfits coming into the country expensive by 10 to 15 percent. [break]



The strengthening of US dollar has also caused the winter apparel to become expensive in the market. Likewise, a price rise has been seen in winter shoes such as boots, closed shoes and canvas.



Deepak Maharjan, sales executive at Levis store at Sherpa Mall, said winter outfits such as hoods, jumper, coat, jacket, half-jacket and sweater among others have become expensive by 10 to 15 percent this year as compared to the last year.



Price of winter wears has gone up in international market and this has caused it to become expensive in the Nepali market as well. Last year, long coat which was priced at Rs 1,500 is now available at Rs 1, 900 while jackets available in the range of Rs 2,500 has become expensive by Rs 500.



Likewise, hoods, pullover and woolen sweaters have also become expensive by Rs 500 each. A year ago, these products were priced from Rs 1,400 onwards.



"Winter clothes that come to Nepal from countries such as Thailand and China are selling at higher price in these countries itself. Besides, the change in the customs valuation has raised the price further," added Maharjan.







Earlier, traders did not have to pay customs of each single commodity but with the change in customs rules, traders are now bound to pay customs charge for each single item, Maharjan added.



Maya Ghaley, proprietor of Forever 21 at Civil Mall, said that due to an early arrival of winter this year, traders have not been able to introduce new range of winter wears as yet.



"We are not able to give what customers are demanding and what we have has already become expensive," Ghaley told the Republica. According to Ghaley, the average daily transaction in peak winter season is between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000.



Despite the arrival of winter, traders have not introduced winter jackets in the market so far.



Wide varieties of winter wears for women are currently available in the range of Rs 1,200 to Rs 6,000 whereas winter wears for men are priced between Rs 1,500 and 9,000.

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