Over 78% of the consumers said that Chinese lights are almost 50% cheaper as compared to Indian lights and have more variety. Also, it saves nearly 35% of Diwali budget.

Nearly 72% of the traders said that demand for the earthen is dipping year after year, so they are shifting towards fancy and designer diyas for this Diwali to attract maximum buyers. The popularity of China-made fancy lights is because of their cheap prices and the wide variety available in the market.

“A Chinese string of 100 tiny bulbs can be bought in the range of Rs 40 to Rs 60. Lights in the shape of pineapples, pomegranates, rice and net stars among others are seen to be popular among buyers”, added the traders in Sadar Bazaar, the biggest wholesale market in North India.

Nearly 76% of the wholesale dealers of gift items said that the cheap Chinese materials sell like hot cakes and have caught the imagination of middle class shoppers. People use Chinese items because they are very cheap, consume less electricity and even the poor can afford to buy them.

Riding on the same features of variety and affordability, Chinese crackers are also finding more and more takers this Diwali season. Nearly 82% of wholesalers said that Chinese crackers are more colorful, produce more sound and have a lot of variety and they are cheap too and score over their Indian counterparts.

Mr. Rawat further said: “Chinese fireworks are entering India illegally through Nepal to eat the domestic market of Rs. 1800 crore. The Chinese fireworks worth around Rs. 250 crore are circulating in the Indian market and volume could increase if necessary steps are not taken. The Indian fireworks industry employs around 2.5 lakh people and provides an additional 5 lakhs indirect jobs.

Readymade Chinese rangolis that can be displayed on the floor or the wall are also available at affordable prices, points out the survey. Not only in India but Chinese products are competing with domestic items in other countries as well.