February 6, 2025
Industry

Indian Retailers Urged to Prioritize Domestic Sourcing for Job Creation

India’s apparel imports reached US$ 1.07 billion (Rs 8,900 crore) in the first eight months of FY 2024-25, with projections indicating imports could rise to Rs 13,000 crore by the fiscal year-end. Key import sources include Bangladesh, China, Spain, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

Segment-wise, cotton apparels accounted for US$ 513 million, man-made fiber (MMF) apparels for US$ 375 million, and other textile apparels for US$ 158 million, showing respective year-on-year growth rates of 2.35%, 14.43%, and 4%. Knitted and woven apparels contributed US$ 420 million and US$ 529 million, respectively.

This increasing import trend has prompted the Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF) to call for stronger collaboration between Indian retailers and domestic textile clusters. “Indian manufacturers have the capacity to meet domestic demand effectively. Reducing apparel imports by US$ 1 billion can generate 2 lakh jobs, significantly boosting employment and economic growth,” said Prabhu Dhamodharan, Convenor of ITF.

ITF emphasized the need for retailers to partner with domestic manufacturers to strengthen local supply chains, reduce import dependency, and enhance production capabilities. The Retailer Association of India has been urged to lead this initiative, leveraging India’s robust manufacturing ecosystem to align with retailer expectations on quality, pricing, and design.

“Building a world-class apparel supply chain through professional collaborations can drive job creation and economic progress,” Dhamodharan added.

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