Kathmandu

Despite of attractive festive offers, sanitary ware brands in the valley have not been able to cash in on this festive season. This season does not seem to bring much shine on the sales of sanitary wares, as the customers seem to be reluctant about exciting festive offers being provided on these products. The demand for sanitary wares has reduced by 60 per cent despite of attractive offers.

Traders opine that the sluggish real estate sector and reduction in construction works are the major reasons behind the decline in demand. According to them, mushrooming of sanitary ware stores in every nook and corner is yet another reason for the sluggish market trend.  Sanitary ware brands like Kohler, Hindware, CRW, Somany, Percelona and American Standard are offering discounts up to 70 per cent and combo packages as festive offer. Unlike yesteryears, this year only few brands are providing festive offers whereas majority of them have no festive cheer to offer to their customers.

“Unlike previous years, this year we are surprised not to receive even regular inquiries and huge reduction in the footfall of potential customers at our store,” said Navin Agrawal, Marketing Director at RG International, authorised distributor for American Standard. Citing that the overall market for sanitary wares is dull, he said, “Owing to sluggish real estate sector, we have witnessed around 70 per cent decline in demand for sanitary wares as compared to the same time before the massive earthquake.”

Under Bumper Clearance Sale, the store offers up to 50 per cent discounts and 60 per cent discounts on combo offers in select models. American Standard has a complete solution for both bath ware and sanitary ware.

Bajra & Bajra Group offers discounts up to 70 per cent on its wide range of products under the brands like Hindware, CRW, Kohler, Somany and Percelona. Besides that it is also offering a combo set of bathroom fittings under Kohler brand at Rs 100,000 which includes commode, basin, faucets and other essential fittings.

“Festive offers are aimed at the clearance of stocks and at the same time push the sales,” said Shiva Ram Sharma, Sales and Marketing Officer at B&B Store. “We have witnessed 60 per cent decline in sales as compared to the same time before earthquake,” he said.

According to him, the market for sanitary wares is largely marred by mushrooming of sanitary wares stores in every nook and corner.

“We have nothing to offer during this festive season as there is no demand for products in the market,” said Pankaj Jalan, Proprietor at Home Mart, authorised distributor for Simpolo brand tiles and sanitary ware, Troika bathroom fittings and Monalisa brand Jacuzzi, steam house and shower enclosure. “Our products are affordable and we have priced it at reasonable price that customers need not to ask for more discounts,” he said.

He blamed that on the name of discounts many stores hike in original price and give away discounts. Jalan is of the opinion that this year the construction of houses has delayed which is why the market is not picking up during the festive season.