As per the Apparel Index prepared by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), apparel industry has grown by 9.15 points in April-June quarter of the current fiscal. Launched last year, this index was with 13-14 as a base year and index value at 100 which means June quarter has grown by 9.15 per cent. Branded apparel sale in the industry is estimated at Rs. 2 lakh crore out of which one third is of unstitched and the rest is stitched apparels. Around 100 brands of various values have been surveyed and mid brands gained the most. Since 80 per cent of the industry is in the small and medium segment, the growth seen in mid brand segment is significant. According to CMAI, “Mid Brands with a turnover of Rs. 25-100 crores, were the biggest gainers registering the highest value growth at 3.34 points in the index where as Giant Brands, with a turnover of above Rs. 300 crores had the lowest growth value of 1.33 points.” Fresh Investment saw a tremendous improvement. Nearly 78 per cent respondents reported an increase in investments in capacity building, expansion and technology, it added.
