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Sales of summer apparel heating up in Kathmandu
With the temperature starting to inch upwards, clothing stores in the Kathmandu Valley have started introducing a range of new summer apparel in the market.Krishana Prasain
With the temperature starting to inch upwards, clothing stores in the Kathmandu Valley have started introducing a range of new summer apparel in the market. And shoppers are thronging shopping centres in hopes of buying new apparel to stay and look cool.
According to traders, they expect a surge in sales of summer clothes this season.
Customers shopping for new apparel want to freshen up their wardrobe while beating the heat, said traders. Some of the most popular items include cotton shirts, T-shirts and sandals in the gents segment, while half pants, quarter pants and sleeveless T-shirts are popular among girls, said traders.
The demand for ladies half pants, especially among teenagers, has been growing in recent years. Similarly, sales of round-neck and v-neck T-shirts are brisk among male shoppers. The demand for thin windcheaters has also spiked with the rising temperature, said a clothing shop owner at Peoples Plaza, New Road.
Customers are mostly looking for apparels made from cotton and linen. The sales of summer caps, hats are also rising, said a trader. Another popular item that shoppers are buying is a denim jacket.
Besides departmental stores, apparel shops located on major shopping streets have been launching a wide variety of summer outfits to attract customers.
Summer garments are imported from India, China, Thailand and Vietnam including other countries as well, said traders.
Anjana Ghalang, a salesgirl at Inception, Labim Mall said that the clothing store has seen demand skyrocket for one piece dresses this summer. Ghalang said that the store is offering dresses made in China. The store typically makes Rs30,000 –Rs40,000 on average on normal days while sales jump to Rs50,000 – Rs60,000 during public holidays. The store is offering discounts on both ladies and gents apparel.
While most shops display the latest summer designs, they are also offering discounts on last year’s apparel to attract customers.
“People have a keen fashion sense these days so we need to update our products to meet customers’ demand,” said a salesgirl.
Similarly, Sudeep Khanal, owner at Boomerang Store said that one piece dresses in floral design are in demand with women this summer. Khanal imports women dresses from Hong Kong.
While sales are brisk on summer apparel, traders said the price on clothes has increased due to higher customs charges. A salesgirl at Le Fabic said that prices of summer wear have increased by 10 percent compared to last season.