FW
Following a strong growth in January, India's textile and apparel (T&A) exports experienced a slight dip in February 2025.
T&A exports during the month declined by 2.27 per cent to $3.216 billion. However, they increased by 7.19 per cent to $33.217 billion in the first eleven months of FY2024-25.
Apparel exports increased by 3.97 per cent to $1.534 billion in February, while textile exports declined by 7.35 per cent to $1.681 billion during the month. Over the eleven-month period, India’s apparel exports rose by 10.71 per cent to $14.458 billion from $13.059 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. On the other hand, textile exports grew by 4.63 per cent to $18.759 billion in the first eleven months of FY25, compared to $17.928 billion in the same period of the previous year.
Within the textile sector, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products increased modestly by 3.29 per cent to $10.938 billion in the first eleven months of this fiscal year. Exports of man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups rose by 4.54 per cent to $4.432 billion, while carpet exports saw a significant increase of 12.52 per cent to $1,403.97 million.
On the other hand, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products in February 2025 declined by 4.41 per cent to $981.80 million, while exports of man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups declined by 8.36 per cent to $395.65 million. Carpet exports, however, increased by 4.87 per cent to $118.87 million.
Imports of raw cotton and waste increased by 107.38 per cent to $1,140.28 million during April–February 2025, compared to $549.86 million in the same period of the last fiscal year. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups increased by 7.83 per cent, rising from $2,116.74 million to $2,282.50 million during the period.
In February 2025, imports of raw cotton and waste saw a dramatic increase of 217.72 per cent, from $31.43 million to $99.86 million. Similarly, imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups rose by 6.38 per cent to $196.87 million in February.
India’s imports of raw cotton and waste were valued at $598.63 million in FY24, a 58.39 per cent decrease from $1,439.70 million in the previous fiscal year. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups also declined by 12.98 per cent to $2,277.85 million, compared to $2,617.74 million in FY23.
Dropshipping, the innovative e-commerce model where retailers sell products without holding inventory, has quietly transformed into a global juggernaut. In recent years, dropshipping has seen explosive growth, with by platforms like Shopify, AliExpress, and SaleHoo.
Global dropshipping scenario
The global market, valued at $162.44 billion in 2023, is projected to exceed $700 billion by 2030, reflecting a staggering CAGR of 23.4 per cent as per Grand View Research. This rise is attributed to its minimal startup costs, scalability, and location independence, enabling entrepreneurs worldwide to establish niche-focused online stores with ease.
Many successful online stores have been built on the dropshipping model, often specializing in niche markets. These stores leverage social media marketing to succeed. Despite its allure, dropshipping presents has numerous challenges such as reliance on third-party suppliers leading to quality control issues and longer shipping times. Competition is intense, necessitating innovative marketing strategies and stringent supplier management.
India's dropshipping scene
In India, as the e-commerce market grows rapidly towards a projected $350 billion by 2030 as predicted by Bain & Company, dropshipping is gaining prominence. Currently valued at $1 billion, the Indian dropshipping market is expected to reach $5 billion by 2028, says Deloitte India. Kapil Makhija, MD and CEO of Unicommerce eSolutions says, dropshipping makes up over half of e-commerce shipments in India, and he expects this share to grow to 65 per cent in the next five years. Platforms like Shopify and local suppliers are facilitating the growth of dropshipping businesses. The rise in dropship model can largely be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Overcoming challenges in India
Logistics and infrastructure pose significant hurdles, especially in rural areas, while building consumer trust remains paramount. Cash on delivery (COD) remains prevalent, complicating payment processes, and finding reliable local suppliers is a persistent challenge.
In India, the integration of social commerce and the rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) models are reshaping the landscape. Entrepreneurs are leveraging dropshipping to market regional handicrafts and niche fashion, capitalizing on India's diverse textile heritage. Initial investment costs, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000, make it accessible to aspiring entrepreneurs.
The fashion and apparel frontier
The fashion sector, ideally suited for dropshipping, benefits from its flexibility to adapt to fast-changing trends and cater to niche markets. Globally, it has empowered small businesses to compete with established brands, while in India, it enables regional producers to scale nationally and tap into a growing demand for customized apparel and accessories.
Many small Indian online stores are specializing in selling customized apparel, such as printed T-shirts or personalized accessories, through dropshipping. These stores often leverage social media marketing to reach their target audience. Regional textile products are also being sold through dropshipping, allowing artisans and small businesses to reach a wider customer base. The rise of online boutiques that curate niche fashion items from various suppliers, are leveraging dropshipping to offer a unique selection.
Future prospects and innovations
As technology advances, AI and automation are set to enhance efficiency and customer experience in dropshipping. However, ensuring customer satisfaction, stringent quality control, and bolstering supplier reliability will be pivotal for sustained growth, particularly in India's evolving market.
Therefore, as dropshipping continues to evolve, its impact on global and Indian e-commerce landscapes, especially in fashion and apparel, remains profound. Overcoming logistical challenges and nurturing trust are critical as the market matures. With advancements in technology and a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit, dropshipping is poised to redefine how businesses navigate the digital frontier.
After a quiet test run in 2024, Decathlon is launching a clothing line designed for everyday wear, rather than just athletic activities. The collection features leggings, zip-up jackets, T-shirts, and sweatshirts, available in unisex, men's, and women's styles.
Focusing on essential pieces with a sportswear base, the range doesn’t just reinvent fashion, but rather expands Decathlon's reach into the lifestyle market. This follows a trend of blending fashion and athletics, a path Decathlon began exploring years ago.
Loïc Movellan, Director – Communications, Decathlon Sportswear, explains, the brand has received significant feedback from customers indicating a desire for more refined designs, particularly in terms of product variety and color options. Essentially, the brand is responding to this customer need. Their existing products aren't ideally suited for daily wear, a gap the new lifestyle range aim to fill, explains Movellan.
Following the launch of this basics line, Decathlon plans to introduce additional collections including a clothing range inspired by vintage tennis aesthetics, and more fashion-forward outdoor apparel for the winter of 2025.
Calvin Klein’s new spring 2025 campaign features global music sensation and three-time Grammy winner, Bad Bunny.
Shot and directed by fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti shot, the campaign showcases Bad Bunny in a sensual and immersive setting. The campaign's film is set to his popular track, ‘EoO.’
In the campaign, the multi-platinum artist models Calvin Klein’s new Icon Cotton Stretch underwear, a modern update to the brand's classic designer underwear. This new line boasts a stitch-free Infinity Bond waistband, a supportive contour pouch, and improved shape retention for enhanced comfort and fit. The Icon Cotton Stretch line is available in briefs and trunks.
Launched online, the campaign released the exclusive Bad Bunny content throughout the week on Calvin Klein's social media platforms.
The campaign will also be featured in prominent out-of-home advertising placements globally.
The global bio-based polymer market is set to grow at a 13 per cent CAGR through 2029, with increasing applications in textiles, according to the nova-Institute’s latest report, Bio‐based Building Blocks and Polymers - Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2024–2029. The market, led by Asia and North America, is witnessing a surge in bio-based synthetic fibers used in textiles, including polylactic acid (PLA), polyamides (PA), and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT).
Bio-based fibers accounted for 27 per cent of total bio-polymer demand in 2024, driven by sustainability initiatives from major brands. PTT, widely used in carpets and apparel, is expanding in North America, while PA, a key component in performance textiles, is growing in Asia. PLA, a fully bio-based and biodegradable polymer, is seeing increased production despite some regional slowdowns.
The total bio-based polymer production reached 4.2 million tonnes in 2024, representing just 1 per cent of global polymer output but growing at a much faster rate than fossil-based alternatives. The demand for bio-based feedstocks remains minimal, with only 0.023 per cent of global biomass needed for production.
While Asia and North America strengthen their market positions, Europe's share is expected to decline due to policy uncertainties. With increasing investment in bio-based fibers, textiles are set to be a key driver of growth in this rapidly expanding sector.
Pakistan registered a 0.4 per cent growth in textile exports in February 2025. During the month, the country’s total textile exports rose to $1.41 billion as against $1.4 billion in the same month last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
However, Pakistan experienced a 16.2 per cent on M-o-M decline in textile exports in February 2025 from $1.69 billion in January 2025.
Over the first eight months of the fiscal year 2025 (8MFY25), Pakistan’s cumulative textile exports rose by 9.3 per cent to $12.18 billion from $11.15 billion in 8MFY24.
Total exports in February 2025 declined by 3.5 per cent Y-o-Y to $2.49 billion from $2.58 billion in February 2024. On a M-o-M basis, textile exports declined by 15.6 per cent.
Textile products remained Pakistan's primary export category in February 2025, accounting for 56.7 per cent of total exports. Key contributors within the textile group included knitwear ($0.37 billion), readymade garments ($0.33 billion), and bed wear ($0.25 billion).
Notably, knitwear exports declined by 21.9 per cent, RMG exports fell by 17.1 per cent, and bed wear exports decreased by 13.5 per cent.
Menswear company Tailored Brands has appointed Julie Rosen and Lewis Bird III to its board of directors, effective March 2025.
According to the Houston-based company, the appointments allow Tailored Brands to focus on next phase of growth as Rosen and Bird collectively bring nearly seven decades of retail and business experience/to the company.
Having nearly thirty years of experience, Rosen has held leadership roles at prominent specialty retail brands, including The Gap, Ann Taylor, and Bath & Body Works. For the past eight years, she has served as president with overall profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for multiple companies, bringing extensive experience in business strategy, brand development, and operational leadership.
Similarly, Bird's career spans more than 35 years. He most recently served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, At Home Group, a home decor retailer. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director-Consumer Practice. The Gores Group; Group President, Nike affiliates, Nike Inc; Chief Operating Officer, Gap; and Chief Financial Officer, Old Navy.
Coinciding with the appointments, Bob Hull will step down as Executive Chairman of the board. Sean Mahoney, Board Member and Chair, Nominating and Governance Committee, will succeed him as chairman, effective May 3rd.
The addition of Julie and Lee underscores Tailored Brands' continued momentum and focus on the future. Their combined talent and expertise will help inform strategies to accelerate revenue growth and profitability, says Hull.
Tailored Brands is a specialty retailer of menswear, including suits, formalwear, and a broad selection of business casual offerings. Its portfolio includes Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores, and K&G Fashion Superstore.
Shift is set to return on June 29 and 30, following a successful debut. This year, the cutting-edge men's fashion event moves from the Yada Yada hall to MuZA in Zaandam, a larger and more striking venue within the Taets Art and Event Park.
Once a bullet factory, MuZA’s raw industrial aesthetic aligns perfectly with Shift’s forward-thinking vision. With over 4,500 square meters of space, the new venue allows for a greater number of brands, creating an expanded and immersive experience for visitors and exhibitors alike.
The decision to relocate to MuZA reflects Shift’s ambition and growth. The historic factory’s expansive halls, striking colonnades, and raw architecture provide an inspiring backdrop for a fashion event of this scale. The additional space enables Shift to feature more brands while also fostering unique and creative initiatives aimed at energizing retailers.
"We're excited to create a larger and more dynamic experience this year," says Rick van Rijthoven. "With the extra space, we're not just increasing the number of exhibitors but also introducing unexpected elements designed to inspire. Our plug-and-play concept makes it easy and cost-effective for brands to participate, encouraging international engagement and diversity."
Shift aims to establish itself as a leading international platform for retailers, buyers, and fashion professionals seeking the latest trends. The event will showcase a curated mix of established brands and emerging labels, offering opportunities to connect with designers and industry leaders. Beyond exhibitions, Shift will serve as a vibrant hub for networking and trend discovery, solidifying its position as a must-attend event in men’s fashion.
Shanghai Fashion Week is set to return from March 25 to 31, adapting to economic challenges while welcoming a surge of global brands. The fall 2025 edition will feature 100 brands, with EP Yaying opening the showcase. International labels such as Marchesa, Lorena Antoniazzi, Lsoul, and Auteur Studio will debut on the official calendar.
African designers will also make a strong presence, supported by the African Export-Import Bank. More than 20 brands from South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and Egypt will showcase at Mode, the official showroom. The influx of brands from over 30 countries is partly driven by Shanghai’s ‘First in Shanghai’ initiative, which offers incentives for debut stores and launches.
Labelhood, the emerging talent platform, will balance cost and creativity with presentations from multicultural designers. Meanwhile, major names like Xander Zhou and Shuting Qiu will skip the official schedule.
Ralph Lauren will stage its first resee show in Asia on April 2, featuring its spring 2025 collections in a see-now, buy-now format. Additionally, Susan Fang will host an exhibition at Zhangyuan, and Fashion Asia Hongkong will spotlight 10 Asian designers.
The inaugural Sustasia Fashion Prize will announce its winner, and Authentic Brands Group will celebrate Champion’s new China partnership with Belle Fashion Group. Despite economic challenges, Shanghai Fashion Week continues to evolve, reinforcing its status as a key global fashion hub.
Despite Bangladesh's garment shipments to major markets like the European Union (EU) and the United States rebounding strongly in recent months, the price per unit of these garments has fallen.
For example, in January 2025, the unit price of garments shipped from Bangladesh to the US decreased by 2.20 per cent, according to data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). However, the value of exports grew by 45.93 per cent Y-o-Y during the month to reach $799.65 million. The volume of garments exports from Bangladesh to the US increased by 49.21 per cent during the month.
Similarly, the unit price of Bangladeshi-made garments shipped to the EU decreased by 4.84 per cent in the January-December period 2024, according to the latest data from Eurostat, the EU's statistical office.
Bangladesh's garment exports to the EU grew by 4.86 per cent to $19.77 billion last year. By volume, exports increased by 10.18 per cent in the same period. The EU's total apparel imports grew by 8.98 per cent.
The unit price of the EU's global apparel imports fell by 6.83 percent, significantly influenced by China's 8.43 per cent price reduction. Price cuts by Vietnam and Cambodia were also notable.
Historically, Bangladeshi garment exporters have received lower prices than those in competing countries.
The overall price of garment items traded globally declined last year and continues to do so this year, says Faruque Hassan, Managing Director, Giant Group and Former President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
This decline is due to a drop in the prices of raw materials such as cotton, yarn, fabrics, and freight charges, he adds.
If the country ensures better quality and timely delivery, buyers will willingly pay more. Additionally, unhealthy price competition among local manufacturers is another factor behind the low prices paid by buyers, avers Hassan.
In the July-February period of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh's garment exports grew by 10.64 percent to $26.79 billion, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Of this amount, exports to the EU - accounting for 50.10 per cent of Bangladesh's total RMG exports - were valued at $13.42 billion.
Meanwhile, exports to the US reached $5.06 billion, representing 18.91 per cent of the total share.
