The Bombay Textile Market in Surat is a popular textile shopping destination, offering a massive range of sarees, chaniya cholis (traditional Indian clothing consisting of blouses, dresses and scarves), and children’s clothing. Currently, in Surat, there are two Bombay markets- Old Bombay Market, and the new Bombay market.
Old Bombay Market is known for its many textiles and textiles. New Bombay Market, adjacent to the old market, consists of around 2,000 shops. Both markets are popular destinations for shoppers looking for traditional Indian wear and offer phenomenal wholesale and retail deals.
This market is characterized by its affordability and wide range of options that suit different budgets. Shoppers can find sarees starting from ₹100 and elaborate, handmade sarees priced at ₹1500.
Affordable deals are a common practice in the marketplace, with store owners often offering discounts on bulk purchases. The market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and a wide array of designer clothes in traditional and contemporary designs. Many shops in the market have a cooperative staff willing to help customers find the perfect suit.
The Bombay Textile Market is popular with local and international buyers, attracting a number of buyers from overseas communities as well.
This market caters to specific regional products, offering gota patti work and traditional bandhani saris much to the delight of Rajasthani shoppers. The Bombay Clothing Market, located in the heart of Surat city, offers an immersive shopping experience, and a wide selection of clothes priced affordably, making it a popular destination for those looking for traditional Indian wear
Wholesale and retail options
The Bombay Clothing Market in Surat offers wholesale and retail products to consumers. For those who want to buy individual pieces, boutique shops offer a range of sarees, chaniya cholis and other fabrics.
For the bulk shoppers, the Bombay Textile Market in Surat is a dream come true. The market is a haven for wholesale shoppers, with many boutique shops specialising in wholesale clothing, offering clothes at a much lower price compared to department stores, generally on sale, the big one requires batches of clothes, with a minimum of 10 quantities per order. This makes it an ideal location for small business owners, boutique managers, or those looking to stock high-end clothing at affordable prices.
One of the biggest advantages of wholesaling here is the difference in prices. These sarees that may retail for ₹1650 can be bought for ₹1500 or even less when bought in bulk. The price usually drops sharply in larger quantities, making bulk purchases much more affordable. This tiered pricing strategy allows customers to save significantly on acquiring high-quality fabrics and designs.
In addition, many store owners are open to negotiation, especially for large orders. These changes mean that buyers can tailor deals to their budgets to ensure profitability when buying back for resale.
The wide variety of the market spans across wholesale options, such as sarees, chania cholis, clothing accessories, and even kids and menswear. This variety ensures that wholesale buyers can find an endless variety of products to cater to different customers or individual needs. Also, the convenience of having multiple wholesale stores in one place simplifies the shopping process, saving merchants and store owners time and effort.
Whether you are looking for traditional gotapatti sarees for festive occasions, vibrant chania cholis for weddings, or contemporary crop tops for trendy shoppers, the best sellers at Bombay Textile Bazaar are unmatched across India.
One store sold individual sarees for ₹250 but had offered sets of 10 for ₹1800. If a customer buys in bulk, the price per sari comes down to ₹180.
How to reach the Bombay Textile Market?
The new Bombay Market which is located next to the older Bombay Textile Market is approximately 2-2.5 kilometers from major landmarks like Sahar Darwaja. Different sources offer insights into various modes of transportation that you can use.
The most preferred option is to take an auto which would cost you around 80 rupees. For a price-saving option, you can also find several shared autos specifically for the Bombay Textile Market.
If you are a new traveller it is always advised that you use an online cab service as it tells you the prevalent rates (eliminating the need for unnecessary bargains) and allows you to track where you are headed.
Surat textile industry
Located in central Gujarat, Surat earns the title of “Silk City of India” and is known worldwide as a textile superpower. This cosmopolitan city is not just a marker on the textile map of India; it’s a heaven of colours, craftsmanship and shopping. Its textile markets are a paradise for traders and artisans alike, offering everything from delicate silks to vibrant textiles.
Surat’s textile industry dates back to the Mughal era when it was an important port for the luxurious silk and brocade trade. Over the centuries, the city’s artisans have honed their craft, blending traditional techniques with modern technology. This marriage of heritage and innovation is a major reason why Surat remains at the forefront of the Indian textile industry today.
Surat has more than 450 fabric dyeing and printing mills and more than 65,000 weaving units, manufacturing everything from saris and fashion accessories to home furnishings this vast array of impressive fabrics including cotton, polyester and synthetic blends helps Surat specialise in low-cost production while maintaining high quality, making it attractive to both domestic and international customers.
Moreover, its geographical relevance makes it more attractive. Located on the banks of the Tapi River and well connected by rail and air, Surat is a logistical dream for businessmen looking to ship goods across India and beyond. Places like Ring Road Market, Bombay Market and Millennium Market are abuzz with activity, offering thousands of styles.
Pricing options
The Bombay Textile Bazaar in Surat, offers a dynamic price range, offering retail and wholesale customers a wide range of products to choose from. Several YouTube bloggers frequently visit the market showcasing stores and interactions with suppliers that emphasize a market characterized by competitive pricing and a variety of offerings.
Retail pricing: At the retail level, the market boasts incredibly affordable prices. Basic sarees can be had for as little as ₹100, making it an attractive destination for budget-conscious shoppers.
For those who want heavy sarees with intricate work, they can also be purchased for around ₹1500-₹2000. At all times there is a high prevalence of discounts, especially during sales, with many stores offering a flat 50% off their merchandise.
When a YouTube blogger reached Bombay Market he noticed several sarees which were priced at ₹4500 but came down to ₹2250 after a 50% discount. This example highlights how significant savings can be achieved there. Sarees with delicate embroidery are also available for ₹3000. This price means that exotic handcrafted sarees can also be found in the market at reasonable prices.
Wholesale pricing: The wholesale section of the market operates under a unique pricing structure, where sets are frequently purchased, and wholesale prices of 10 or more units are generally lower than their retail counterparts, saving wholesalers more.
To put things into perspective, while a particular saree can cost ₹250, buying 10 will bring the price down to ₹1800 essentially meaning that you are saving ₹70 per piece.
Bargain and negotiations: Indian markets are hardly ever averse to a little bargaining. With reasonable bargaining skills and knowledge about what you are purchasing, you can easily reduce the cost of your purchase even more than the shop keep is offering you. This becomes especially relevant food bulk orders.
Factors influencing price: As you can clearly see the price range in Bombay Textile Market is very wide and it is affected by a lot of factors. The fabric, the complexity of the work, and whether the pieces are hand-embroidered or machine-made play a huge role in determining the prices.
Variety of clothes
The Bombay Clothing Market in Surat is a hot spot for fashion lovers, offering an unparalleled variety of clothes covering a wide range of tastes, tastes and occasions. This market is known for its sarees, and lehengas with stunning cholis, it is a destination for customers searching for high-quality, varied and affordable options.
Sarees: Sarees in the Bombay textile market have become the equivalent of tourist attractions in major Indian cities. With various styles from timeless antiques to contemporary designs. Shoppers can find everything from small everyday sarees in fabrics like cotton and georgette to elaborate silk and chiffon sarees with intricate embellishments, perfect for weddings and celebrations.
The thing that particularly stands out about their sarees is their extremely rich colour palette. Almost every store that you visit will have an endless variety for you to go through. Sarees in 15 colours are available.
Embroidery: The market and its clothes are made much more attractive by the intricate (even handmade) embroidery done on traditional Indian fabrics. Techniques like delicate embroidery, intricate gotta patti work and exquisite embroidery give life to the outfits, giving everything an artistic touch.
Chania Choli: Besides sarees, you can also find Chania choli collections in this market, which is especially popular at weddings and cultural festivals. These dresses are available in various styles from traditional to contemporary interpretations, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Clothing options for men and children: If you think that the market is only limited to women’s clothing then you are absolutely mistaken. Shops offer stylish choices for both men and women. consumers can find stylish cropwear, children’s wear, and even menswear styles. This wide range of clothes solidifies its reputation as a one-stop place for all clothing needs.
Diversity in design: Another important aspect that sets the Bombay textile market apart is its ability to cater to demographic and regional diversity.
The short sarees with minimal accessories are popular with young women looking for casual yet elegant designs, while the highly embellished gota patti sarees are attracting customers from Rajasthan, where such items are widely adored.
The shopkeeper’s knowledge of different tastes ensures a seemingly personalised shopping experience, appealing to both individuals and many consumers providing high-quality products, a wide range of products and economical prices organised together, Bombay Textile Market is not just a shopping destination but a great place to explore the renowned textile industry of Surat and its vibrant culture for every designer, traveller or businessman.
Other relevant information
After passing by hundreds of shops for hours on end you will surely be famished. If you find yourself craving a delicious meal there is also a cafeteria near the Bombay Textile Market that you can go to.
The Bombay Textile Market has 2 gates that you can enter through and is open on all working days from 10 AM to 9 PM. It is closed on Sundays so avoid planning your visits that day. Textile markets like this can get crowded very early so try to go there early in order to get the best experience.
Also Read: How To Start a Textile Business
GST on Apparel, Clothing, and Textile Products
Also Listen: Captain Biz QnA Session | Get all your queries cleared
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bombay Textile Market:
-
What is Bombay Market, Surat famous for?
Although Bombay Market in Surat offers a wide range of clothes from lehenga choli for women to traditional Indian clothes for men, it is typically famous for its sarees. With sarees that cost as little as ₹100 and go up to ₹4000 – ₹5000, the Bombay Market boasts a massive variety of sarees differing in fabrics (silk, organza, etc.) and embellishments (zari, sequin, gota patti).
-
Which is the largest textile market in Surat?
The Saharaj Darwaja market is the largest textile market in Surat which provides highest quality clothes at very affordable prices. The market is characterised by its variety of women’s traditional clothing, much like the Bombay Textile Market.
-
Why is Surat called a textile city?
Owing to its massive history of textiles, a huge community of textile workers has evolved in Surat. It has always been home to some of the most skilled textile workers in the country and has some of the most affordable textile markets in India.
-
Which is the oldest market in Surat?
One of the oldest markets of Surat is Chauta Bazar whose history dates back to the 1700s.
