World cup fever in India giving gain to Chinese enterprises

World cup fever is almost at its peak now giving sky high level of craze on insignia of participating countries among the football lovers even in India. Like millions of other items, here also, Chinese items, backed by solid innovations, are churning out profits of this trade.

“Insignia like a flag, flag patch, or head band gives extra tempo to shout for own favorite team. Eventually, almost everyone buy something,” said Ajoy Moitra, veteran administrator of a noted football club in Siliguri. A town in Himalayan foothills in West Bengal.

“I am selling at least 100 – 150 flags a day now. And it is increasing,” said Komol Saha, a low cost toy seller. “We buy from wholesalers and sell on road, all in cash only. Naturally, the profit also comes instantly. Interestingly, beside men in road, people from many big offices, shopping malls are also buying these,” he added.


There are hundreds like Saha selling them all around Siliguri - beginning from small tea garden labour lines to city malls.

“We also buy in cash and on no return basis. Despite having this factor included, the retailers margin and retail price both are good enough,” said a wholesaler requesting anonymity as, “Lion’s share of this unorganized, short lived trade is not tax paid,” he revealed. Siliguri city of just 5 lakh populace has over 20 such wholesalers .

“Innovative features are main strengths of these Chinese items,” agreed all. A small flag, costing Rs 40 in retail, is made of common plastic paper with a soft drink straw as its flag pole. But it comes with a tiny rubberized suction cup with two holes in it in two directions. Thus, fixing it anywhere in a bike or car or even inside home in either horizontal or vertical alignment is just a ‘press it and leave it’ affair.

Or a 1.5 inch by 2.5 inch colour patch that costs Rs 20 for a pack of 10. Just wet it and press it against skin. Water and sweat proof head band is another unique item.

Interestingly, “Depending upon demand, the suppliers are making items available in bulk even in remote corners just within three or four days. Indian manufacturers can no way compete them,” said wholesalers.

Clear enough, while Indian manufacturers are losing because of lack of innovations, Indian Government is losing due to lack of ground level machinery to ensure duty collection from these short term trades.