CHENNAI: The rains are out and about and so are the umbrellas. As a new umbrella sales season kicks in, the city markets are abuzz with new models. This season you can snuggle with your loved one within ‘heart’ umbrella or cruise through the harshest of rains in an auto-reverse umbrella or tuck away your pencil umbrella within the folds of your bag. Sure enough, the choices do not stop there.
The ‘heart’ umbrella which comes only in bright red colour is this year’s release by Stag umbrellas, the 156-year-old veteran umbrella maker. The umbrella which as the name gives away, has a heart shaped canopy and in some models even spotting frills along the border. The umbrella, targeted at young love birds romancing in the rains, is made larger than the average umbrella, clearly in an attempt to include more than one.
Another fast moving variety this season is the auto-reverse umbrella, which is designed in such a way that the canopy lifts up at the side when hit by the wind and prevents damage tothe umbrella. “More and more people are going for the auto-reverse umbrellas this season. About 30 per cent of my sales is from this kind of umbrella alone”, says Vinod A, an umbrella vendor at T Nagar. Among kids, cartoon-themed umbrellas continue to make the big bucks, with some of the umbrella makers coming up with canopies attached with horns and flaps.
Though the three-fold umbrellas continue to be the rage, some point out that there are now customers going for the older walking stick-length umbrellas as well. “Corporates have been demanding the long wooden umbrellas. These are often more long lasting. Apart from the traditional black ones, we are getting several new colourful and print umbrellas under this category,” said Suresh M Shah, Manager of Ebrahim Currim and Sons umbrella manufacturing facility in Parrys.
With the price ranging from Chinese umbrellas at `70 to branded ones going over a thousand rupees, there is no dearth of choices. The golf umbrella, a large colourful umbrella, derives its name from being used during golf games, but today they are more in demand by the street side vendors. Larger umbrellas are now among the growing category especially among the youth. Large umbrellas are also used for escort important people after arrival during events.