By LaxmanKafle
Kathmandu, Oct.2 :This Dashain is going to be expensive for Nepali people not only due to the skyrocketing price of vegetables and meats, but also due to significant increase in the price of clothes and foot-wears.

The prices of clothes and shoes have gone up in the market during this festival period compared to last year, said the traders.

The price of normal shoe has increased by Rs. 500-600 per pair this year, said Narendra Tibrewal, a trader at Pashupati Plaza.

The price of shoe has increased significantly this year compared to last year due to increase in its customs and inflations as well, he said.

“I am selling a pair of leather shoes at Rs. 1,500 to Rs, 3,500. Due to increase in prices, the sales of shoes have been affected,” he said.

He said that the bargaining power of the consumers was increasing following the increment of prices as the consumers were not aware about the increase in the tax and purchasing price.

“We are facing problem and heavy bargaining while selling goods due to lack of price list in the products. We cannot sell goods even at a fixed price as the consumers have developed a habit of heavy bargaining,” he told The Rising Nepal.

A trader at Civil Mall, Bidur Dhital, said that price of imported branded sport and leather shoes have increased by Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,200 per pair due mainly to the new customs rate.

Similarly, the price of normal shoe of gents has also increased by Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per pair and ladies shoes became expensive by Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 a pair this year.

He said that price of not only shoes but also of clothes increased by up to 30 per cent this year compared to last year.

He said that the price of a branded paint increased by Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per piece and shirt by Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 per piece.

Nawaraj Bhandari, who arrived in New Road from Sindhupalchowk for shopping, said that everything, including shoes, pants, jacket and T-shirt has become expensive this year compared to last year.

The price of clothes and other items increases every year, but this time it has increased significantly, he said.

When the prices of goods doubled in the festival, the consumers were finding it difficult to manage Dashain expenses, he said.

“There is a situation to bargain while purchasing goods due to lack of price tag. I buy a piece of pant at Rs. 2,250 at Pashupati Plaza after a heavy bargaining.

The trader has fixed the price of this paint at Rs. 2, 800,” he said.

According to him, the consumers are being cheated by the traders in the absence of price tag and the consumers purchase the goods believing the rates fixed by the traders.

According to him, he could not buy a jacket due to its high price. Price of a jacket was Rs. 4000; whereas, I wanted to spend only Rs. 2000 to buy a jacket.

Sarita Timalsina, who came from Balkot, Bhaktapur, to New Road in Kathmandu, said that the price of clothes had increased by 20-30 per cent.

She bought clothes worth Rs. 4,000 for her and Rs. 2,500 for her small daughter.

The price of clothes is comparatively cheaper in the ‘sale’ but we cannot be sure about quality and durability of the items kept for sale, she said.

She said that the price of clothes was hiked even in the footpath after their prices in malls and shops went up.