Consumption Pattern and Preferences of Working Women in the Service Sector in Kolkata

Abstract

Globalization of the Indian economy over the past two decades has significantly influenced the Indian social life, both economically and culturally. Today women consider themselves to be more empowered compared to their earlier generations. Globalization has had differential impacts on women's lives in different economic strata. Feminizations of the labour force, in general, increasing number of women in professional and managerial occupations and changes in family structure have had major implications for women's income. The disposable income of a significant number of women has increased significantly. This has had a direct impact on the consumption pattern of women. Consumerism has become a powerful opportunity for expression and for a public life of sorts. In this context, the paper discusses the monthly consumption expenditure of households in Kolkata, where the main occupation is in the service sector followed by an empirical analysis of the pattern and preferences of consumption of the households where women are either employed or engaged in the service sector has been done for Kolkata. The analysis is based on field data collected through structured questionnaire and personal interviews and has been done in terms of four service categories.