Demand for customised goods soars

From showpieces to dresses, the demand for customised goods among Bangladeshis has been gradually rising, stakeholders say.

Products, including mugs, water bottles, masks, caps, wooden frames, wristbands, phone cases, keyrings, hoodies, and wooden pen boxes, are attracting people with their uniqueness and attractive designs. Sellers say young people make up the majority of the clients. 

These items are mainly bought for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, official programmes, various occasions, religious and cultural festivals and memorable moments. Many corporate offices say they use custom packaging to give the products a more refined and professional appearance.

Traders said their sales soar on special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Women’s Day, Teacher’s Day, new year, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, Bangla new year and Eid festivals. 

They said that gift culture was evolving with an increasing number of occasions. People customise gifts to make them exceptional.

Although there is no specific data on the size of Bangladesh’s personalised gifts market, a Business Wire report estimated the global market size to be around $31.63 billion this year and expected it to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9 per cent.

Farzana Shashi, a resident of Dhaka, said she ordered some customised items for her mother’s birthday. “I hope these goods with unique design will make her happy,” she said.

Rifat Ahmed Rafy, a bridegroom, ordered several customised products, including face masks, for his upcoming marriage ceremony, hoping to make the event memorable.

Anirudha, the owner of Customize BD, said many products are mainly imported from China and later customised locally. “The sector’s annual growth is 15 per cent,” he told The Business Post, noting that material and machinery shortage is hamstringing local entrepreneurs.

Fatian Rafsan, business development manager of Custom Universe Bd, said, “Currently customised winter cloths including hoodie and long sleeve t-shirt are high in demand. The youth are our main customers.”

He said they could deliver customised goods within two to three days.

Mohammad Hasan, Manager of UpoharBd, said customised gift items have high demand ahead of the New Year. “We offer personalised magic mugs, customised engraved wooden photos, personalised wooden pen boxes, cakes with photo mug, greeting cards with photo, printed photos with leather frames and other items,” he said.

Oli Ahmed, the owner of Magic Mug Bd, said, “Different types of mugs are imported from China and customised locally. The cost has risen as we have to pay high tax but it did not affect business. Our sales volume doubled compared to last year.”