Idols and lamps from China a hit among Indian shoppers this Diwali

AHMEDABAD: There is a little bit of China hanging on a rack or two in almost every shop selling festive items. Be it the traditional diyas that mark Diwali or fancy lights to deck up your house or idols of god and goddesses; the red dragon has dished out everything this festive season. In fact, traders suggest the volumes of Chinese products on the counter is almost double than last year.

A recent Assocham survey says that craze for Chinese products as Diwali gifts has been increasing and its demand has gone northbound.

The study finds that the demand for fancy lights, lampshades, Ganesha and Laxmi idols, rangolis, crackers and various other items has increased by over 45% than the last year and that the market is surging with Chinese products and consumers seem to be making a beeline to buy these attractive yet cheap stuff, explains the survey.

“In times like this when people are cutting budgets, Chinese products fit perfectly as they are not only cheaper but come with a variety of options,” says Jay Prakash, a wholesale electrical item dealer at Gandhi Road. Nikunj Shah, a city-based trader says, “While a mediumsize earthen diya would cost anything between Rs 3 to Rs 10, a fancy electronic Chinese diya would cost Rs 2. Also a string of 100 tiny bulbs, another Chinese item, comes for Rs 40 to Rs 60.”

The Assocham survey said that over 78 % of customers said that Chinese lights are almost 50% cheaper.