According to SK Ray, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of India to Poland, Indian clothing exporters have a huge opportunity to expand their presence in Polish supermarkets and hypermarkets (Warsaw).
Ray emphasised the importance of the textile sector in Poland while speaking to a large group of Polish buyers and Indian apparel exporters at a virtual B2B meeting on ‘India-Poland Synergies in Apparel & Textiles,’ co-hosted by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and the Indian Embassy in Poland.
“Indian exporters should bear in mind that Polish customers are not extremely brand loyal,” Ray added, noting that Poland acts as a textile centre for export to other European Union nations. They aren’t loyal to any one brand. They frequently swap brands and prefer to conduct their shopping at hypermarkets and supermarkets.
“Fashion and style are main factors and there is reduced concern about the price tags. There is another growing trend that the clothing has to be sustainable and eco-friendly. Indian exporters should focus more on the latest textile technology and research,” he added.
Further, the envoy said, “There is a huge potential for enhancing our engagements in the textile sector. Poland can serve as a major hub for textiles and Indian companies can supply in a large way to the Polish supermarkets and hypermarkets.”
“Key advantages of buying from India or for Polish manufacturers setting up manufacturing bases in India are lower labour costs, increased ease of doing business, stable economy, and the slew of economic measures being taken up by the government – not only for sourcing but also as a manufacturing hub,” said Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, Export Promotion Sub Committee, AEPC.
AEPC Chairman Dr A Sakthivel said, “India is focusing on high value and specialized products like MMF apparels, medical textiles and technical textiles. Foreign investors can set up a manufacturing base in India directly or through JVs. Come and partner with us in building R&D, design, innovation and incubation centres in India. Foreign brands can expand in Indian retail market also. Top brands like Zara, H&M, Mango, GAP, Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein are already sourcing from India.”
