Pakistan - News and Discussion 6

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<b>Chinese shoes losing charm</b>

<i>People search for durability which Pakistani footwear provides</i>

KARACHI: Chinese shoes have lost popularity among masses, particularly in rich and upper middle class, as they now prefer locally-made leather shoes due to good quality and durability.

Some years ago, Chinese shoes made inroads into the local market in a big way, attracting consumers especially poor and lower middle class, who bought these shoes due to their fascinating look and cheap prices.

These cheap Chinese shoes became a real threat to the domestic industry, hitting local shoe manufacturers hard.

According to a rough estimate, around 30 to 40 per cent local shoe manufacturers have wrapped up their business owing to uncontrolled influx of cheap Chinese shoes into the market.

“Thousands of small and medium sized shoe manufacturers closed down their business, but ladies’ shoe manufacturers are doing very well,” Muhammad Anwar, Director English Boot House told The News.

Two years ago, different varieties of Chinese shoes could be seen everywhere in the metropolis from famous Lunda Bazaar of Light House to shops located in posh shopping areas including Defence, Clifton, Tariq Road, Muhammad Ali Society and Hyderi Market.

Initially, Afghan traders in Pakistan imported Chinese shoes, but later commercial importers also found it a lucrative business and imported huge quantities including slippers, joggers, office shoes, casual cloth shoes, children shoes and ladies shoes and sandals.

The cheap and fascinating Chinese shoes lured customers, particularly poor and lower middle class, who bought these from different outlets and open stalls erected at different places.

In a very short span, local shoes vanished from shops and even some reputed names like Service, English Boot House and Bata Shoes displayed Chinese products in their showcases in order to compete with others.

Two years ago, these shops were displaying 50 per cent Chinese shoes, but now they are selling around 20 per cent Chinese shoes as demand weakened, a random market survey showed.

“The year 2004 was a peak period for Chinese shoes when reputed companies displayed Chinese shoes at their shops to compete in the market. But now shoppers are reluctant to purchase these low-quality shoes,” M Anwar told The News.

<b>He said finishing of Chinese shoes was very good <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>but they had pig and Rexene lining, adding consumer complaints about fungus effect due to Chinese shoes were very high.</span></b>

He said they gave one-year warranty to customers in case of Pakistani shoes, but could not offer warranty on Chinese shoes. Unauthentic people, mainly Pathans and commercial importers, were importing Chinese shoes, who were reluctant to import quality products because their cost was higher than locally-made shoes.

He said domestic shoe manufacturers, who had earlier closed their factories, “are now gradually re-opening them.”

However, the low-income group of society, who find it difficult to buy a pair of shoes for Rs1,200, can purchase three pairs of shoes at the same cost. This group still prefers to buy Chinese shoes regardless of their quality and durability.

However, local ladies’ shoe manufacturers are completely intact as imports could not hit this section because of difference between the taste of Pakistani and Chinese women. Ninety-nine per cent ladies’ shoes are manufactured in Pakistan.

Similarly, traditional men and women shoes including ladies fashion footwear, Khussa slippers (beaded and embroidered), flat Khussa (beaded), Khussa shoes and bridal shoes kept their market share.

A manager at a Service shop at Zaibunnisa Street said Service was doing a good business compared to pervious years and “now profits have risen manifold.” However, he said small Service shops located in poor localities had been affected by the import of cheap Chinese shoes.

Market sources say many big shoe manufacturers including Bata had relocated their factories in China and were selling Chinese products by just stitching their tag on shoes.

However, Bata sources dispelled the impression, saying two factories of Bata company were working full-fledged at Batapur Lahore.

Sources said in the year ended December 31, 2005, Bata - a subsidiary of Canadian multinational firm - registered record net sales, gross and operating profit and paid 40 per cent cash dividend, the second highest in the last six years.

Bata sources said value added footwear output had increased substantially, but plastic footwear production stood low.

Zaki, a shopkeeper at Jama Cloth Market, <b>said Chinese shoes could not compete with locally produced leather shoes because Pakistani products did not affect human health, while consumer complaints about Chinese shoes generating extra heat were high.

He said “Chinese shoes are hazardous to health, particularly they are very dangerous for eyesight compared to domestic shoes in which <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Halal leather is used which doctors say is health-friendly.”</span></b>

In the beginning, he said, he also followed market trend and put on sale Chinese shoes, but removed all such items after receiving complaints from customers.

He said “Chinese manufacturers use machine technology in making shoes whereas local manufacturers stitch shoes by hand,” adding a shoemaker could hardly stitch 8 to 10 pairs of shoes a day.

<b>A cobbler Shahbaz Ahmed Pathan belonging to NWFP said his shoe mending work had been affected badly during the last three years as people preferred to buy new Chinese shoes instead of repairing old one.

However, he said his work mainly consisted of polishing and small stitching while earlier he used to change soles of 10 to 12 old shoe pairs every day.</b>

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