If GlobalData’s reports are anything to go by, then growing middle class and urbanisation will be instrumental in driving the 2022 clothing sales in India reach the 2019 levels.
According to the report India Apparel Market Size and Trend Analysis by Category (Clothing, Footwear, Accessories), Retail Channel, Supply Chain, Consumer Attitudes and Themes, Key Brands and Forecast, 2020-2025, the Indian apparel sales may touch US $ 75.2 billion in 2022.
The report also said that in 2025, the same could advance further up to attain an impressive US $ 91.1 billion.
The projections made by GlobalData are, however, slightly lower than that made by Statista.
Statista had earlier, reportedly, predicted that the Indian apparel retail market is expected to reach US $ 88.48 billion by the end of 2022 and a whopping US $ 106.93 billion by 2026.
The GlobalData report added that while apparel market in India touched US $ 64.8 billion in 2021 – owing to easing of restrictions and reopening of retail stores –India’s growing middle class may help help drive sales and achieve numbers in 2022.
Substantiating on the same, Suresh Sunkara, Retail Analyst, GlobalData, said “India’s growing middle class, with higher disposable income, will bolster the growth of the apparel market, especially benefitting Western brands, as these consumers increasingly interact with social media with greater exposure to global fashion trends.”
The demand for comfortable apparel – which rose during the pandemic – is expected to continue positioning leggings, knitwear, sweatshirts and trainers as winning categories during the forecast period.
As per the report, categories such as jeans, tops and T-shirts will surpass their pre-pandemic sales faster, driven by casualisation.
Suresh also added that categories like suits, shirts and dresses will also beat pre-pandemic levels owing to the strong growth in the overall market.
Additionally, rapid urbanisation is leading to a shift in consumers’ lifestyles, increasing the demand for products such as formalwear and sportswear, and urban consumers have greater access to apparel brands, both in-store and online.
These changing consumer habits will support the demand for more trend-led items, particularly amongst younger consumers, who represent a large proportion of the Indian population.
The report also said that as retailers continue to improve their digital propositions and consumer habits shift, the online channel will grow at a CAGR of 30.3 per cent between 2019 and 2025, with online penetration set to rise to 26.5 per cent in 2025.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
