Apparel-August 2020 | Page 34

FEATURE A Sleep to Remember The global sleepwear industry is expanding and India’s huge market potential is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Anurima Das explains how various industries are keeping up with the increasing demands in this ‘new’ segment of the Apparel Industry… Snooze for comfort The sleepwear market over the last few years has expanded drastically. Newer players right from luxury to mass retail have become a part of this segment and are creating ripples through sales. This has created a good following at every point across the supply chain. A study by Technavio has brought to light the global sleepwear and loungewear market which will reach a CAGR of nine per cent by 2023 approximately. Industry experts too are of the same opinion citing that the segment is ripe with opportunities. “The sleepwear culture and industry has come to a full circle. A set that would cost approximately R130, say about 30 years ago has now risen to R3000. The consumer demand has grown and this means that its supply must grow as well. Sleepwear has an annual market of R4000 crore. Out of this R1200 is organised and the rest is unorganised. However, this too is converting rapidly into an organised business with large private retailers and national omni-present brands like Sweet Dreams making a place for themselves in the market. The consumption of sleepwear is growing at an annual growth of 12 per cent. This is pushing more competition into the market. China had a R20000 crore market for sleepwear when its economy touched USD 5 trillion,” explains Hitesh Ruparelia, Owner, Sweet Dreams. 32 I APPAREL I August 2020