As per the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) India’s apparel sales are likely to decline by almost 30 per cent across various categories due to the rising Omicron cases. A survey conducted by the traders’ body, between January, 1 and 6, 2022 shows, India’s domestic trade declined 45 per cent in 36 cities. In some apparel manufacturing hubs like Delhi-NCR, majority of migratory workers failed to join factories and are still in villages.

Lalit Thukral, President, Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC) says, the cluster is in touch with the workers and have assured them not to worry about anything. Few PPEs manufacturers are again witnessing increasing orders from the domestic market and enquiries from overseas. At the same time, new order booking for garments is expected to be a little slow as buyers, as well as Indian suppliers, are doubtful about the way things will shape up in next one or two months.

Rajeev Bansal, Managing Director, Celestial Knits & Fabs, Noida and National Vice President, Indian Industries Association (IIA),says, orders booking has been a little slow since last few days as buyers are also very careful about the overall situation in their countries as well as in suppliers’ countries.