Traders have attributed the rise in prices to strengthening of US dollar, Thai Baht and Chinese Yuan vis-à-vis Nepali currency. In addition to that, traders said increase in freight cost and upward revision in customs valuation on apparels also has contributed to price rise.[break]
Most of the stores in the capital have already started selling new collections for winter. Traders at malls like City Center, Civil Mall, Kathmandu Mall and United World Trade Centre and shops at New Road said their import costs have increased this year compared to last year thereby making the goods dearer.
“The prices of apparels imported from Thailand and China have increased by 20 to 25 percent compared to last year mainly due to weakening of Nepali currency against US dollar, Chinese Yuan and Thai Baht,” Bijaya Shrestha, a wholesaler at Ranjana Galli, said. She said jackets, pullovers and sweaters have become dearer by Rs 200-Rs 400 this year.
Price of woolen wears at Nepal Wool House has also increased. “These days woolen wears are mostly imported from China. As Chinese Yuan has strengthened to Rs 14 from last year´s Rs 11 against Nepali currency, prices of woolen wears have increased by 10 to 15 percent,” said Gyanendra Ratna Tuladhar, proprietor of Nepal Wool House, Bhotahity.
Besides clothes imported from China and Thailand, prices of winter clothes imported from India have also gone up. “Price of winter clothes brought from India has increased this year mainly due to rise in price of yarn and other import costs,” said Subodh Agrawal, proprietor of Store One that houses more than 25 international brands under one roof.
Not only the clothes, even shoes have become dearer this year. “Chinese shoes that we have imported for winter have become expensive by around 30 to 40 percent due to weakening of Rupee and rise in transportation cost,” said Mayjan Rai, proprietor of Track N´ Trail at People´s Plaza.
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