Mumbai, January 2025: The 80th Edition of the National Garment Fair (NGF) Spring-Summer 2025, organized by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), successfully concluded after an impactful three-day event held from January 15 to 17, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The fair was graced by the Hon’ble Shri Sanjay Savkare, Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, who encouraged the apparel industry and assured ongoing policy and financial support.
The event saw impressive participation, with over 21,500 trade visitors, including national and regional retailers, distributors, and wholesalers. This strong footfall contributed to significant business engagements, setting the stage for a promising retail season. The overwhelming response and robust activity further solidified CMAI’s crucial role in shaping the Indian apparel market, offering a comprehensive platform for sourcing, networking, collaboration, and growth.
During his visit, Shri Sanjay Savkare emphasized, “The 3-day trade fair organized by CMAI has brought together exhibitors from all over India, helping develop business for the next few months. This event is expected to generate substantial turnover, with buyers and sellers from across the country coming together.”
He also shared insights into Maharashtra’s textile sector budget plans, including subsidies and incentives aimed at fostering employment and factory establishment, especially in North Maharashtra, to address socio-economic challenges.
Santosh Katariya, President of CMAI, remarked, “The domestic apparel industry continues to see positive momentum driven by expanding retail networks and growing demand for the latest fashion collections. The support and collaboration between brands and retailers have made this fair a key driver for business growth, with substantial order volumes and exceptional feedback reinforcing the industry’s resilience.”
Anand Chokshi, Joint Chairman of NGF, CMAI, highlighted the shift in consumer demand, with brands expanding into tier-2 and tier-3 markets. He noted that conscious shopping trends focusing on quality, sustainability, and personalized experiences are shaping the industry, driving growth for the year ahead.
Spanning approximately 700,000 sq. ft. at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, the fair hosted 1,220 brands from 1,020 manufacturers across 1,120 stalls, showcasing a diverse range of collections including women’s wear, men’s wear, kids’ wear, and accessories, highlighting the latest Spring-Summer fashion trends.
Exhibitors shared positive experiences, with Bhumil Veera from Avega noting the strong response, particularly during the typically slower summer season. Gaurav Sithya from PRO Riders praised the fair for fostering new customer relationships and helping the brand adapt to rapidly changing fashion cycles.
Shalini from Stil-O-Stitch discussed the growth and inclusivity focus of their brand, especially with the launch of their plus-size collection, while Rushab from Zola highlighted the competitive challenges in the market. Jagdish Harwani from Little Bull Clothing Company shared optimism for the wedding and party wear segments, despite challenges in casual wear sales. Hemal Gandhi from Evolve expressed confidence in the positive momentum for kids’ apparel despite an initial dip in sales.
Recognized as the premier bi-annual trade fair for India’s apparel industry, NGF continues to be an essential event for connecting brands, manufacturers, designers, and fashion accessory creators with retailers, distributors, agents, and e-commerce companies. It serves as a vital platform for business networking, collaboration, and sourcing, delivering valuable growth opportunities for all stakeholders.
About CMAI:
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is the leading industry association, representing over 5,000 members and serving more than 25,000 retailers across India. CMAI advocates for policies, guides members on ESG matters, and launched the SU.RE initiative in 2019 to promote sustainability in the industry. Founded 60 years ago, CMAI played a key role in establishing the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and is authorized by the Government of India to issue Certificates of Origin to exporters. It also represents India’s apparel industry on global platforms such as the International Apparel Federation (IAF).
