"The mushrooming of tailoring shops at every nook and corner has increased unhealthy competition in the business"
Sujata Awale
Kathmandu
After gaining experience of tailoring from different garment factories and tailoring shops for six years, Raj Bahadur Maharjan, Proprietor of RB Tailors, commenced his own tailoring business in 1991. Started with an initial investment of Rs 80,000 at Machhindra Bahal, Lalitpur, he had only one assistant to support him then. Reminiscing the earlier days of his business, he said, “The business was tough and I had to rely on my only assistant for everything. Gradually, I learnt the craft of the trade and things got better.”
According to him, the tailor shop reached new heights only when it was shifted to Lagankhel in 1996. Citing that the business was good during 1998, he said, “There used to be only a few tailoring centres and the business reached its peak," adding that now there is tough competition in the market. "The mushrooming of tailoring shops at every nook and corner has increased unhealthy competition in the business," he said, adding that one needs to offer the best services to stand out in the market.
Specialised as a gents tailor, the shop has all custom tailoring of shirting and suiting along with readymade clothes. RB Tailors has an array of fabrics from the local market and fabrics imported from India, China, Thailand and Taiwan. Customers can order formal attire, business and wedding suits, along with Nepali costumes such as daura suruwal, waistcoat, jwari-coat et cetera that costs anything from Rs 2,500 to Rs 12,000. The tailoring charge of a shirt and pant is Rs 350 and Rs 450 respectively, while that of sewing a daura suruwal and suit is Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,500 respectively. Along with custom tailoring service, the shop also offers readymade clothes such as shirts, pants, suits, daura suruwal and trousers among others.
“The finest custom tailoring service and prompt delivery system are our unique selling proposition,” said Maharjan, adding that is why their customers frequent the shop. According to him, loyal customers' word of mouth has done magic to his business.
Festive seasons like Dashain, Tihar, the wedding season and new academic sessions are the peak time for the business. "To cash it on these occasions, we offer a shirt, tie and coat cover for free on the purchase of suit," he said, adding that the majority of customers comprise of youngsters from middle class strata.
Today, RB Tailors employs six staff and makes an annual turnover of Rs 600,000. Citing that power cuts is the main hurdle to the business, he said, “It has become a challenge for us to meet commitments to deliver products on time. So, we have to work in the wee hours following the deadline.”
“Custom tailoring is not easy and it is hard to retain good staff," said Maharjan, adding that growth and expansion is further restricted due to the unavailability of skilled manpower. He complained, "Marred by load shedding and due to the lack of skilled manpower, we are compelled sometimes not to take orders." However, he added, "I want to extend with a new outlet in the near future."
Sujata Awale
Kathmandu
After gaining experience of tailoring from different garment factories and tailoring shops for six years, Raj Bahadur Maharjan, Proprietor of RB Tailors, commenced his own tailoring business in 1991. Started with an initial investment of Rs 80,000 at Machhindra Bahal, Lalitpur, he had only one assistant to support him then. Reminiscing the earlier days of his business, he said, “The business was tough and I had to rely on my only assistant for everything. Gradually, I learnt the craft of the trade and things got better.”
According to him, the tailor shop reached new heights only when it was shifted to Lagankhel in 1996. Citing that the business was good during 1998, he said, “There used to be only a few tailoring centres and the business reached its peak," adding that now there is tough competition in the market. "The mushrooming of tailoring shops at every nook and corner has increased unhealthy competition in the business," he said, adding that one needs to offer the best services to stand out in the market.
Specialised as a gents tailor, the shop has all custom tailoring of shirting and suiting along with readymade clothes. RB Tailors has an array of fabrics from the local market and fabrics imported from India, China, Thailand and Taiwan. Customers can order formal attire, business and wedding suits, along with Nepali costumes such as daura suruwal, waistcoat, jwari-coat et cetera that costs anything from Rs 2,500 to Rs 12,000. The tailoring charge of a shirt and pant is Rs 350 and Rs 450 respectively, while that of sewing a daura suruwal and suit is Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,500 respectively. Along with custom tailoring service, the shop also offers readymade clothes such as shirts, pants, suits, daura suruwal and trousers among others.
“The finest custom tailoring service and prompt delivery system are our unique selling proposition,” said Maharjan, adding that is why their customers frequent the shop. According to him, loyal customers' word of mouth has done magic to his business.
Festive seasons like Dashain, Tihar, the wedding season and new academic sessions are the peak time for the business. "To cash it on these occasions, we offer a shirt, tie and coat cover for free on the purchase of suit," he said, adding that the majority of customers comprise of youngsters from middle class strata.
Today, RB Tailors employs six staff and makes an annual turnover of Rs 600,000. Citing that power cuts is the main hurdle to the business, he said, “It has become a challenge for us to meet commitments to deliver products on time. So, we have to work in the wee hours following the deadline.”
“Custom tailoring is not easy and it is hard to retain good staff," said Maharjan, adding that growth and expansion is further restricted due to the unavailability of skilled manpower. He complained, "Marred by load shedding and due to the lack of skilled manpower, we are compelled sometimes not to take orders." However, he added, "I want to extend with a new outlet in the near future."