Made in India dominating global Christmas products market

NEW DELHI: It is essentially a Christmas 'Made in India' that the western world is celebrating this year!

From the Santa to the crosses and pendants that the Christians across the world wear on Christmas, hangings, decoratives, Christmas tree, electric lighting sets, artificial flowers including plastic flowers, candles, and tapers are being made by artisans in cities of Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and exported to high-end stores in USA and Europe.

"Global retail giant Wal-Mart's recent annoucement that its X'mas ring this year has been designed in India made big news. But the fact is that Indian products dominate the 'Holiday decor' segment of the high end stores like Bottery barn, Neiman Marcus and  Anthropologie in America and also
Europe," says Aseem Bhatia of Aryan Worldwide, a Delhi-based exporter.

"Wal-Mart is a retail store for mass market. But Indian products, which are all hand-made are generally made for high-end stores. Because of the richness of design and colour forecast, that they offer, they command certain 'respect' and price index," says Bhatia.

Agrees Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), "manufacturers from Delhi, Moradabad, Agra are producing various Christmas products which are being supplied to the big stores like JCpeny, DSS, Blooming Dales and Wal-mart."