As the lockdown continues across the country with low buyer sentiment for garments, Indian fashion brands are focusing on e-commerce. Fashion shows have been cancelled and supply chain management has been severely affected. Many start-ups are hoping the government comes out with some relief measures to compensate for their business losses.

Brand Sarah & Sandeep’s focus has shifted towards its e-commerce platform and its international clients with whom it consults over Skype. The company has also extended delivery periods for earlier orders. It expects to break even at least for the coming month as it has cut all unnecessary costs.

With all their stores closed at the moment, online orders of FabAlley and Indya have slipped by 25 per cent. With a ban on social gatherings, occasion wear brand Indya has witnessed a dip in orders. Moreover, given the uncertainty of the crisis, people are not spending on apparel, they said.

Supply chain management across various functions has been adversely impacted, hampering overall business execution. Every business in such a situation will face a hit and that is something unavoidable.

Similarly, the members of South India Imported Machine Knitters Association are not in a position to repay bank loans as a result of which banks may classify the units as non-performing assets.

There is no clarity on when all the export and domestic supply chains will come back to normal and when will the finance ministry implement remedies. The exports are expected to return to normalcy in June or July.