With financial support provided by the government, the bead industry in Uttar Pradesh would be able to stabilise its position among competing countries like China  The bead industry in India is gradually gaining prominence in the retail market. States like Uttar Pradesh (UP) are popular for its bead industry, which churns out beautiful bead jewellery, high in demand in both domestic and global markets. This view has been supported by 100% of respondents, who participated in a recent poll conducted by Retailing360. With the change in fashion trends, bead jewellery has been creating a style statement among consumers. Bead jewellery can be worn with both Indian apparels and western outfits. With gold, silver and diamonds jewellery coming at a high price tag, consumers are increasingly showing inclination towards jewellery made of beads and pearls.
Domestic bead industry facing competition
Even though superior in quality, demand for Indian bead products is being affected, with competing countries offering the same at lower prices. In this context, Sagar Nagpal, managing partner of Global Handicraft in New Delhi, says, “By manufacturing a wide range of bead products in unique designs and selling the same at reasonable rates, countries like Chinahas been posing stiff competition to India. However, consumers, who are sensitive to chemicals, suffer from skin problems after wearing beads that are manufactured in most other countries, which does not hold true for beads manufactured in India as they are largely made from natural products.” Therefore, the government should provide incentives to bead manufacturers and exporters, which will help them to lower the product prices.
Challenges
According to Rasat Kamal, managing director of Arfa Exports, a large-sized bead manufacturer and exporter in Moradabad, UP, “Raw materials like polyester resin used to manufacture beads are not available easily in UP. Therefore, manufacturers have to purchase the commodity from New Delhi and Mumbai, which delays the manufacturing process in the state and increases retail prices of products. The government should provide financial support and ensure that raw materials are available in the state to manufacture beads.”
Moreover, largely dominated by small players, the UP bead industry still uses traditional methods to manufacture beads. Usage of latest machinery could help the domestic bead manufacturers to boost production, thereby catering to a larger consumer base.
Sabrina Mitchell
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