India's handcrafted home decor selection continues to grow

Suppliers are leveraging their access to various raw materials and skilled artisans to provide a diverse selection.

Home decor suppliers in India are leveraging their access to various raw materials and artisans of diverse skills to expand their handcrafted selections.

The country is among the world's top producer of cotton, silk and jute, which are used in home textiles such as mats and pillow covers. Teak, rosewood and other types of wood can be found in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

Ceramic can be sourced from Gujarat. The cities of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan are the main sources for marble requirements, while Khajoor grass and water hyacinth for making mats and tabletop accessories are found in Madhya Pradesh and Assam.

In terms of craftsmanship, the history of India's handicraft industry goes as far back as 3,000 B.C. The country is home to artisans who work with wood, metal, marble, glass and other materials.

With these advantages, home decor makers are creating pieces that combine ethnic and modern elements. New colors or finishes are also anticipated are also anticipated in new releases.

Some suppliers plan to adopt more decorative elements in their products. Upcoming throw pillow covers and photo frames, for instance, will feature lace and sequins.

Adoption of environment-friendly materials such as bamboo and jute will also remain a trend.

With a wider selection, many home decor suppliers hope to strengthen exports to North America and the EU amid projections of an economic slowdown in the two markets. A number also plan to attract more orders from the Asia-Pacific region and other markets.

Challenges

The majority of home decor manufacturers in India are categorized under the handicraft sector, which is a cottage-based and small-scale industry. As such, several companies have difficulty accommodating large orders, leaving them at a disadvantage against global competitors.

The government in India has implemented various initiatives to boost the competitiveness of the handicraft sector. Among these is the Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD), a scheme launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs that awards fellowships for R&D in the field of traditional arts and crafts. Among the targets of USTTAD's fellowship component is the development of new designs, technology and products.

Rising material costs are a concern for most home decor suppliers in India since these affect margins and price competitiveness. Cotton, for example, has increased in the past months due to low supply.

Labor costs on an upward track as well.In August, the government raised the minimum wage for unskilled nonfarm workers by more than 40 percent.

Many companies are reluctant to raise quotes, however, as this could mean losing customers or getting fewer orders. Suppliers surveyed for this report expect to keep prices at current levels in the next six months.

This article and its contents are provided by the Hinrich Foundation, a partner of Global Sources in promoting trade across Asia. The products and the suppliers featured in this article are export assistance program beneficiaries of the Hinrich Foundation.