Fibre2Fashion Magazine June 2018 June 2018 | Page 53

The current intimatewear market size is estimated to be $4.8 billion, which marks an 11 per cent increase over 2014.
In terms of manufacturing too, the market can be broken down into three, but not along the
same lines.
The first are the indigenous small-scale manufacturers. For long, most of the Indian
intimatewear manufacturing has been taking place in the ubiquitous small-scale industry (SSI)
units across the country and catering primarily to local market requirements. These units are
typically proprietary firms, with an average size per unit not exceeding 15–20 machines, and
churning out simple, inexpensive products.
Next come the indigenous large-scale manufacturers without foreign tie-ups or collaborations.
In fact, a number of such manufacturers have been remarkably successful in their own right. They
make products using different types of raw materials, and notable players include Groversons,
Rupa, Amul, Lux, Bodycare, TT, Maxwell Industries, Pratibha Syntex, Juliet Apparel and Sonari
Lingerie.
Then, there are the large-scale manufacturers with their respective foreign tie-ups /
collaborations. Quite a few Indian companies in recent years have entered into the manufacturing,
marketing or brand licensing tie-ups with international players with a focus on both domestic and
export markets. Examples of this category include Page Industries, which has a brand licensing
arrangement with Jockey (US).
Fast-Changing Society
The innerwear market is being driven by a few key factors or trends. All spell good news for the
current manufacturers of innerwear in the country and also for those wanting to enter the market.
At the heart lies the demographics factor. India is seeing rapid growth in its urban population
not only in the big cities, but in smaller towns and cities too. While on the one hand people
are shifting base to cities and metros for better livelihood opportunities, on the other the rural
population too is becoming infused with urban patterns and cultures through—what is referred
to as—r-urbanisation. Besides, demographics of the country are changing just as swiftly with an
increase in the working age population, better male-female ratios, increasing female literacy rates,
and narrowing birth and death rates.
Globally innerwear
exports amounted
to $45 billion in
2016. It is expected
to reach $80
billion by 2025.
China and Hong
Kong are the major
exporting nations of
innerwear for men
and women with
a value of $21.3
billion which is a
47 per cent share
in global exports.
Following closely
are Bangladesh,
Turkey, India and
Vietnam with 4.3
per cent, 4 per
cent, 3.7 per cent
and 3.4 per cent
shares respectively.
India held the fourth
position with around
4 per cent share of
global exports and
approximately $1.7
billion exports value
in 2016.
JUNE 2018 FIBRE 2 FASHION |  53