The stabilization of trade routes following recent geopolitical de-escalation between the US and Iran has reignited American demand for Indian-made apparel. However, this resurgence is accompanied by intense price pressure, as international buyers seek to recalibrate their supply chains with discount demands of up to 10 per cent for Spring 2027 inventories. For domestic manufacturers, who have endured months of contracting Western retail orders, these concessions threaten to erode already fragile operating margins. The market is witnessing a paradoxical environment where order volume is finally trending upward, yet the fiscal viability of each contract is challenged by aggressive buyer price-capping, observes a senior trade analyst based in New Delhi.
Adapting to evolving regional competition
India’s readymade garment sector continues to trail competitors like Vietnam and Bangladesh in capitalizing on the broader global pivot away from Chinese production hubs. While these regional rivals are securing increased market share through high-velocity production cycles and deeper supply chain verticalization, India’s export figures underscore the challenge, with a 14 contraction in dollar-denominated shipments reported recently. To mitigate these risks, leading manufacturers are leveraging currency depreciation - with the rupee trading toward the mid-90s against the dollar - to absorb cost hits. Simultaneously, a tactical expansion into European markets including the United Kingdom and Italy is serving as a crucial buffer to reduce the heavy reliance on the North American retail segment.
Operations and strategic reach
Orient Craft is a leading Indian manufacturer of premium readymade garments and woven apparel. Headquartered in India, it operates large-scale production facilities in industrial hubs like Ranchi and Manesar, serving global retail networks. The company is actively shifting production toward rural centers to optimize costs and enhance long-term export profitability. Founded in 1978 by Sudhir Dhingra, the firm currently prioritizes market diversification to ensure no single client accounts for more than 15 per cent of its total annual turnover.
