Affordable luxury: Bangladeshi shoppers turn to A-grade replicas

Mall culture in Dhaka is nearly nonexistent today, but there was a time when Rapa Plaza, Rifles Square, and Bashundhara City were always cramped with customers. Over the years, people have found other options. The exhausting traffic has made mall visits less appealing, and, most importantly, online shopping has become a convenient alternative.

Roksana (not her real name), a homemaker, used to visit malls occasionally and liked a variety of handbags—especially when they were affordable. Her go-to spot was 'Celebrations', one of the first stores to sell replicas of branded bags. Back then, most customers either didn't know they were buying copies or didn't mind unless they had a deep knowledge of brands.

Roksana has shifted from shopping malls to buying bags online. For her, as long as the term 'A-grade' comes before 'replica,' it's good enough. She has built a trusted customer-seller relationship with 'Nipun Gallery' and is satisfied with the bags she gets from them. 

She knows her budget doesn't allow for luxury brands, but she's content with her choices and doesn't spend more than Tk2,500 on a bag. They last her for about a year, and that works for her.

Bangladesh does not shy away from openly selling replicas or knockoff products. Given the country's economic reality, this is nothing unusual, as only a small percentage of the population can occasionally afford to splurge on luxury items. 

While counterfeit food and cosmetics can be harmful, replica bags, shoes, and clothes pose no real risk—except for sometimes lacking durability. But people are aware of that and don't mind, as they aren't spending a lot of money on them either.

However, the replica market has stepped up its game in recent years with 'Mastercopy' and 'A-Grade' replicas of branded bags. There is a demand for it, so why not cater to it?

"I started 'Belegant' in 2021 with just Tk22,000, alongside my sister, Tasnuva Mehjabeen," shared Taslima Mehjabeen, owner and co-founder of Belegant and Glamfit. "We source our bags from China, ensuring they meet premium quality standards."

Explaining the different types of replica products, she said, "There are various grades—B-Grade replicas, A-Grade replicas, and Mastercopy. Mastercopy bags, often called 'Dubai grade,' are nearly identical to the originals and range between Tk25,000 and Tk45,000."

Talking about the business, she added, "We found stability in this market because demand is strong. Our bags range from Tk1,500 to Tk15,000, depending on the brand and durability. Customers appreciate the quality, and these bags can last four to five years with proper use. We carefully choose high-grade copies from our factory in China to maintain our standards."

Nawar-E-Janna, a Business Development Executive at Intefa in her mid-twenties, loves a good handbag but quickly gets bored of the same design. She prefers A-grade replicas over original bags, as she doesn't see the point in spending a fortune on something she'll lose interest in within a year or so.

"I don't mind using replica bags since they are more affordable. I usually go for Coach replicas and recently spent Tk6,000 on a Dior copy. They last me two to three years, and I like how they come with multiple compartments. I don't even mind telling people they aren't the real deal. If anything, it makes them more curious about where to find a stylish bag without putting a hole in their pockets," she shared.

There are many online pages today that offer a wide range of Mastercopy bags from popular luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Prada. Most of these bags are shipped from China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong, but a similar market exists in European countries as well.

There is a noticeable price difference when these products are sold in malls in Pink City, Gulshan 2, or Police Plaza Gulshan 1. 

The prices range from Tk25,000 to Tk47,000 or more, but similar bags are cheaper online.

Roshan Mina, the managing director of 'Turkcraze,' an online store, explained, "In malls, the cost of the area and rent are factored into the product prices. With our online platform, we can keep prices lower. We ship from Turkey, which is more complicated than other countries, but because we offer a unique and great collection, it's worth it. Our products range from Tk3,000 to Tk10,000. People are looking for brands and want to stand out, which is why the business is flourishing."