Archive · 8 Oct 2026
India Apparel Market Set to Reach $146.3 Billion by 2029
A report says India’s clothing market is expected to grow a lot by 2029.
It estimates the market will rise from $95.7 billion in 2025 to $146.3 billion.
People in rural areas and smaller cities are an important part of clothing demand.
Most clothes are still bought in physical shops, although people also shop online.
Casual clothes are now the biggest clothing category, but traditional clothes remain important too.
Men’s clothing is currently the largest segment, while children’s and women’s clothing are expected to grow faster.
The report says demand for comfort, versatile styles and more branded choices is helping shape the market.
Its survey covered 10,929 consumers in 16 states.
India’s apparel market is projected to grow from $95.7 billion in 2025 to $146.3 billion by 2029, a 9% annual rate.
Rural India accounted for $55.9 billion, or 58% of apparel spending in 2025; tier-II, tier-III and smaller markets also contributed.
Offline retail generated 83% of 2025 sales ($79.4 billion), compared with $16.3 billion, or 17%, online.
Casualwear was the largest apparel occasion in 2025, while ethnicwear remained significant, including about 60% of womenswear.
Kidswear is projected to grow fastest through 2029 at 9.4% annually, followed by womenswear at 8.9% and menswear at 8.5%.
- Who
- The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and 1Lattice produced the report described in one article.
- What
- A report projects India’s domestic apparel market will reach $146.3 billion by 2029.
- When
- The market projections cover 2025–2029; the survey fieldwork ran from November 2025 to February 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The reports cite rural and smaller-town consumption, casualization, wardrobe upgrades, movement into organised and branded retail, and faster growth in womenswear and kidswear.
Traditional and physical retail
Casual styles and online retail
Clothing preferences
Traditional and physical retail
Ethnicwear remains important: it makes up about 60% of womenswear, and weddings and celebrations support traditional and Indo-Western menswear.
Casual styles and online retail
Casualwear is the largest apparel occasion, reflecting demand for comfort, versatility and clothing suitable for multiple occasions.
Retail channels
Traditional and physical retail
Physical retail remains dominant, accounting for 83% of apparel sales in 2025.
Casual styles and online retail
Online sales made up 17% of the 2025 market; the report describes a market with both store and online channels.
- Market size in 2025
- $95.7 billion
- Projected market size in 2029
- $146.3 billion
- Projected annual market growth
- 9% from 2025 to 2029
- Rural market in 2025
- $55.9 billion, or 58% of the total
- Sales channels in 2025
- Offline: $79.4 billion (83%); online: $16.3 billion (17%)
- Projected annual growth by segment
- Kidswear: 9.4%; womenswear: 8.9%; menswear: 8.5%
- Survey coverage
- 10,929 consumers across 16 states
- Fieldwork period
- November 2025 to February 2026
