Krisha's model 66 beach bag has a 10oz canvas body, a gusset bottom and twin hemming tape handles.

Plant- and vegetable-based materials such as cotton, jute and canvas are used and made more durable through plastic coating or lamination.

Export-bound beach bags from India adopt mostly natural materials.

Regular, organic and recycled cotton, jute, jute-cotton, canvas, straw and palm leaves are among the options, preferred for their sustainability, environmental friendliness and relatively low cost.

Jute, canvas and juco are preferred specifically for their durability and low thermal conductivity. The materials are water- and dust-resistant when coated with plastic or laminated.

PVC is used as well.

Ekta International has a collection made of jute with plastic coating. The company also uses canvas.

Hitaishi Creative Enterprises Pvt. Ltd utilizes primarily jute and juco, followed by canvas. The latest releases come in jute 300 to 600gsm and 14/15 thread count.

Krisha Export prefers 10 to 12oz canvas, jute and cotton.

ISO 9001:2008-certified Second May International uses pure cotton, canvas and jute. Handles are made of cane, hemming tape or cotton cord.

Materials are sourced from Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. Jute and canvas costs have risen 25 and 10 percent, respectively, in the past few months, pushing up prices 5 to 10 percent. Quotes have a 30-day validity as companies wait out the seasonal shortage in jute supply.

India’s beach bag exports have increased by more than 15 percent in the past fiscal year. Suppliers are aiming to sustain growth by offering an expanded selection with customizable designs. The US, the EU, including the UK, Australia and Japan are the primary export destinations. The UAE, Singapore, South America and Canada are the target markets.

There are nearly 500 suppliers of beach bags in India, with the highest concentration in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. Most follow SMETA (SEDEX), SGS and GOTS guidelines.

Small makers have a monthly capacity of 5,000 to 10,000 bags and annual export sales of less than $1 million. Midsize companies can turn out 10,000 to 25,000. Large operations are capable of producing more than 50,000 beach bags. Yearly exports are worth over $10 million.

Expanding selection

Most India-made beach bags come in satchel, tote, bucket, dome and elongated types, and popular dimensions are 32x42x17, 43x36x12, 45x42x10x 41x33x17 and 54x38cm, respectively. Many customizable sizes are available.

Designwise, marine flora and fauna, and beach scenery with sand chairs, umbrellas, flip-flops and binoculars are hot. Classics such as flowers, paisleys and stripes, however, are still best-sellers. Silk-screening and digital printing are used for sharper detail.

India suppliers are boosting product value further by adding embellishments such as beads, sequins, satin or zari borders, embroidery, piping, pleating, fringe and painted designs. Bottom gussets in contrasting shades and interior lining in bright colors are common in new models. Some have foam lining.

Hitaishi Creative utilizes art paper and transfer printing and silk-screening to apply beach scenes, feminine motifs, and floral, sea life and nautical patterns on its selection. Models have piping, handles in contrasting-color hemming tape or cord, mobile phone and coin pockets, and a zipper closure.

Some beach bags from Second May have beads, sequins or embroidery. Others are made of crocheted cotton yarn.

Products & prices

Most beach bags from India use lightweight materials with high tear strength for the body, lamination or fabric lining for the interior and azo-free dyes. Handles are made of cotton hemming tape with or without a cord core, twin cane rings with a golden polish or fabric or string tied together into a bow or a knot. Machine stitching and overlocking ensure durability.

Models have small zipped pockets for coins or a mobile phone, and up to two compartments for personal care products. Some are bundled with a foldable beach mat and pillow.

Products are tested for colorfastness and shrinkage.

Low-end beach bags are made of cotton sheeting, 5 to 8oz canvas or jute. They come in solid colors or have a single-shade print or stripes. Cotton tape or cane handles, PP lamination, and a zipper or button-loop top closure are common. Prices are from $1 to $2.

Reaching $5 apiece, midrange styles adopt 100 to 150gsm cotton sheeting, 8 to 10oz canvas, juco or laminated jute. Zippers, metal buttons and wood buttons with a loop are the closure options. Pieces can be plain or printed and have some embroidery or sequin- or bead work. They have single- or dual-cord or polished cane handles.

The most expensive types are made of 10 to 12oz canvas, palm leaves, juco and top-quality juco, and are laminated and lined with cotton or satin. Sides can have foam quilting. Designs are silk-screened or digitally printed while inside pockets have zippers. Such models have cord or cane handles and embellished with fringe, pleats, borders, embroidery, beads and sequins. They reach $10.

Product gallery

Ekta International
Model: B 003
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 25 days
Price: $2.71
Description: Jute exterior; plastic-lined interior; twin cane ring handles reinforced with hemming tape; top zipper closure; zipped external coin pocket; concentric circle pattern; 43x37x15cm

Hitaishi Creative Enterprises Pvt. Ltd
Model: 6081
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $2.82
Description: Jute exterior; laminated interior; twin cord handles with canvas reinforcement; one inside pocket; Oxford blue with nautical prints; 35x33x15cm

Krisha Export Co.
Model: 66
MOQ: 100 pieces
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $0.95
Description: 10oz canvas; gusset bottom; twin natural-color hemming tape handles; top zipper closure; one inside pocket; red-and-white chevron pattern; 16x14x5in; 60cm-long handle

Second May International
Model: SMI 1112
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $6.50
Description: 100% cotton; cotton lining; knot handle; zipper closure; inside pocket; pink; sea creature print; 40x90cm

Second May International
Model: BE 14
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $13.00
Description: Cotton canvas; TC lining; twin dual-color twisted cord handles; zipper closure; inside pocket; floral and marine creature print; 35x40cm