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Surat is famous for its thriving textile industry, diamond trade, and busy bazaars, but if you dig a little deeper into the city's colourful shopping streets, you will also find a hidden world of imitation goods that include fashion replicas, fake designer wear, knock-off accessories, and more.
While Surat doesn’t flaunt its counterfeit scene boldly, it certainly has its fair share of markets where you can find trendy “branded” items at a fraction of the cost. Let's take a look at some of these markets.
Begampura Market is a local favourite, known for its wholesale textiles. But aside from the endless rows of sarees, dress materials, and readymade garments, you are also bound to find stalls and tiny shops selling imitation branded clothes, handbags, and watches.
Many of these replicas are decent enough, especially the designer kurtis, jeans, and "foreign" fashion labels that are popular with local youths. You will even see “Adidas,” “Gucci,” and “Zara” tags stitched onto locally produced clothes.
While quality may vary, the prices are often unbeatable. Walk a bit deeper into the lanes where the locals shop rather than sticking to the main road, as this is where you will find the best deals.
Bombay Market is also known for wholesale textile exports, but it also has an informal side filled with budget shopping and some solid replica goods. Many of the stalls mix original local labels with lookalike versions of well-known brands.
From knock-off perfumes and wallets to sneakers and sunglasses, the market has a little bit of everything. Most sellers here know how to mix quality with affordability, which makes it a popular destination for fashion-conscious college students looking for a “branded” look without paying a high price.
Places like Ghod Dod Road may be more of an upscale shopping street, but don’t let that fool you. Just outside some of the high-end stores, you will find footpath stalls that offer stylish knock-offs and “first copies” of luxury products.
Street vendors here often display handbags with Louis Vuitton-style patterns, belts with fake Hermes logos, and Ray-Ban lookalike sunglasses. You might also find local brands mimicking foreign trends. It is a blend of premium and budget, and locals love the convenience of browsing both original and imitation products in one go.
Shanivari Market comes to life every Saturday and transforms into one of Surat's most vibrant and chaotic shopping spots. It is a traditional flea market where you can find just about everything, including clothes, bags, footwear, mobile accessories, household goods, and even antiques.
You will also find a variety of cheap knock-off products sold openly at throwaway prices. Think sports shoes with slightly altered logos, jeans with tags resembling big brands, "branded" watches, wallets, and even imitation electronics. Some items are obvious fakes, others are high quality, and some are second-hand goods.
Surat may not be India’s knock-off capital, but it holds its own when it comes to affordable fashion and first-copy goods. These markets are perfect for bargain hunters with a sharp eye and good negotiation skills. Whether you are searching for fake branded handbags, replica sunglasses, or fashion-forward apparel at throwaway prices, they have got something for everyone.
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