Apparel, Fashion & Retail | Garment | News & Insights

78th National Garment Fair by CMAI Sets tone for Apparel Industry Outlook in FY25

Published: February 5, 2024
Author: TEXTILE VALUE CHAIN

Indian Domestic Garment Industry Anticipates 15% Surge in H1FY25 

Mumbai, February 2, 2024: The National Garment Fair (NGF 2024) Spring-Summer Edit,  organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) in Mumbai, unfolded over  three days from January 29 to 31, 2024. The event drew an impressive crowd of close to 18,000  visitors including national and regional retailers, distributors, and wholesalers. The robust  business activities and bookings recorded during NGF 2024 clearly mirror the positive  momentum in retail sales anticipated for the upcoming Spring-Summer season. 

Encompassing an expansive 700,000 sq. ft. across seven halls, the Spring-Summer Edit of the  National Garment Fair 2024 (NGF 2024) took place at the Bombay Exhibition NESCO Complex in  Goregaon East. With over 1025 participants showcasing more than 1,120 brands across Women’s wear, Men’s wear, Kids wear, and Accessories. 

Speaking about the domestic garment industry, Mr. Rajesh Masand, President, Clothing  Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), said, “The revival of the apparel industry post pandemic has been less than robust, with retailers contending with a substantial backlog of  inventory. The predominant driver of retail sales growth of apparels in the past year has been  the result of both stores and network expansions. Although it is difficult to estimate the business  conducted during the Fair, our interaction with the Exhibitors indicated most of them were more  than satisfied with the enquires/orders received, serving as a positive indicator of the industry’s  gradual progress towards normalisation in H1FY2025.” 

Speaking about the NGF 2023, Mr. Rohit Munjal, Vice President and Chairman of the Fair  Committee, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) said, “The success of the 78th  National Garment Fair stands as a promising indication of its significance. Distinguished  retailers & distributors from across the country graced NGF 2024. The sustained vitality of  NGF can be credited to the steadfast support and proactive engagement of both brands and  retailers. Their persistent involvement has played a pivotal role in elevating the fair’s influence  and ensuring its ongoing success.” 

Speaking about the present outlook of the domestic garment industry, Mr. Rahul Mehta,  Chief Mentor, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), said, “The notable  expansion of major retailers and brands into Tier 2 and 3 markets in the past year has played a  substantial role in driving the retail sales growth within the apparel segment. Anticipating a  shift from the initial trend of consumer “revenge-shopping” immediately post-pandemic, we saw a transition to a restrained shopping behavior last year. This year, there is an anticipation  of consumers refreshing their wardrobes, signaling a return to normalcy in shopping patterns.”

Furthermore, the prestigious CMAI Apparel magazine was relaunched during NGF 2024 with a  far Special edition. The Apparel magazine is not only resuming publication but is undergoing a  significant upgrade as a quarterly edition, which will provide more exclusive content, in-depth  features, and exciting apparel trends. The new avatar of the magazine boasts of careful curation  and enhancement of content, promising a better reading experience with fresh perspectives  from industry experts, insightful interviews, and stunning visuals. This transition aims to  celebrate the world of apparel with captivating stories. 

Recognised as the largest and most awaited bi-annual trade fair of the Indian Apparel Industry,  the National Garment Fair by CMAI serves as a vital platform for connecting National and  Regional Brands, Manufacturers, Designers, and Fashion Accessories manufacturers with  Retailers, Agents, Distributors, and E-commerce Companies. This biannual event holds  significant prestige in the industry and is widely regarded as India’s foremost trade fair, offering  a comprehensive sourcing platform that maximizes both time and cost efficiency for all  stakeholders involved. 

About CMAI 

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is the most representative association of the Indian apparel industry having over 4000 members and serving more than 20,000 Retailers. Its Membership consists of Manufacturers, Exporters, Brands, and ancillary industry. 

CMAI advocates regarding policies and also guides and encourages its members on ESG related matters and initiatives. In 2019, CMAI launched the SU.RE initiative to encourage members to embrace sustainability. 

Established sixty (60) years ago, CMAI has contributed immensely towards development of the  industry. In 1978, CMAI had led the creation of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC). CMAI is  also authorised by the Government of India to issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) to Exporters. 

CMAI is the only Indian Association that represents the entire Indian Apparel Industry & Trade on prestigious international forums such as International Apparel Federation (IAF) headquartered in Netherlands. 

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