CMAI’s 82nd NGF Signals Strong H1 Demand For Domestic Apparel

The 82nd edition of the National Garment Fair (NGF) Spring–Summer, organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), concluded successfully in Mumbai, signalling strong demand and positive sentiment in the domestic apparel market for the first half of the year. The three-day event was held from January 20 to 22 2026, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), Goregaon East.

The fair witnessed robust footfalls, attracting over 24000 trade visitors, including national and regional retailers, distributors and wholesalers. Strong buyer engagement and healthy order volumes underlined industry confidence and pointed towards a promising retail season ahead.

The event was inaugurated by Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Addressing the industry, he said, “If an event has sustained itself for eight decades, it clearly adds value to all stakeholders. Domestic consumption is growing at 7–8 percent annually, keeping prospects extremely bright. However, competitiveness in a changing global landscape will depend on formalisation, technology adoption, productivity, sustainability and speed to market. The Ministry of Textiles remains fully aligned with industry needs and committed to supporting MSMEs in scaling up and integrating into global value chains.”

The Guests of Honour at the fair included Ashish Kewalramani of Ashish NX, Nagpur and Ganesh Narayan Beria of Nagarmal Sheonarain & Sons, Arrah, Bihar. Several CMAI office bearers and industry leaders were present at the inauguration, including Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI; Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor; Rohit Munjal, Vice President and Chairman of the Fair Committee; Naveen Sainani, Honorary General Secretary; Paresh Vora, Honorary Treasurer; Mukesh Jain, Honorary Joint General Secretary and Dinesh Nandu, Honorary Joint Treasurer.

Commenting on the outcome of the fair, Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “Strong participation from brands and retailers translated into meaningful commercial engagement. The impressive business traction and order volumes reflect the resilience of the domestic apparel sector and growing market confidence, setting the tone for a strong season ahead.”

Rohit Munjal, Vice President and Chairman of the Fair Committee, CMAI, added, “Every edition of NGF continues to see sustained demand and full bookings well in advance. The depth and diversity of participation from manufacturers, brands and buyers reinforce NGF’s position as a trusted, high-impact platform for the apparel ecosystem.”

Spread across approximately 700,000 sq. ft., the fair hosted over 1,085 brands across 1,070 stalls, showcasing Spring–Summer collections across women’s wear, men’s wear, kids’ wear and accessories. The wide-ranging displays highlighted emerging fashion trends, innovations and evolving consumer preferences.

Exhibitors across categories reported strong business traction. Bhavesh Rajkumar Dewani, CEO, Butterfly (Menswear), Indore, said, “We have been participating in NGF since 2008, and it continues to be a strong brand-building and booking platform. This year’s response has been extremely positive, reflecting a gradual recovery in the domestic apparel market.”

Aman Khattar, representative, Baby Naturally (Kidswear), New Delhi, said, “NGF brings buyers from across India under one roof and serves as both a business and branding platform. The response this January has been encouraging, supported by steady industry growth.”

Sahil Khan, Manager, Buddy Vs Buff (Menswear), Ludhiana, noted, “This is our first participation at NGF, and the response exceeded expectations. With Gen Z emerging as a key consumer segment, the outlook for both our brand and the industry looks promising.”

Arwind Patel, Director, XN Sports (Kidswear), Mumbai, added, “NGF offers excellent exposure and access to new customers and agents. Orders have been strong, and we are expecting 10–15 percent growth this year.”

Shivanshu Agarwal, representative, Gemini (Women’s Wear), Kolkata, said, “Having participated in NGF for over 25 years, it remains a major buying platform. This edition recorded 10–20 percent higher footfall, with B2B growth continuing alongside online sales.”

Apurv Ghiya, Owner, Rajputana (Women’s Wear), Jaipur, said, “NGF marks the start of the summer season for us and consistently delivers strong business. The domestic apparel market continues to grow steadily, driven by rising adoption and purchasing power across regions.”