Manufacturing activity has gained momentum at Indore’s homegrown garment units as apparel makers scale up production in the run-up to Eid, one of the peak sales periods for the readymade segment. However, industry participants said financial constraints had curtailed the sector’s ability to fully capitalise on the seasonal demand surge.
Manufacturers reported a sharp rise in dispatches from city-based units over recent weeks, with bulk consignments primarily routed to southern markets. Nearly half of Indore’s readymade garment supplies are shipped to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra also remain key destinations.
Ashish Nigam, president of the Readymade Textile Dealers Association, stated that Eid-related business had lifted market sentiment and production had been ramped up to meet festive demand, describing the period as one of peak consumption for the segment.
Indore, which hosts more than 1,500 small-scale readymade garment manufacturers, traditionally witnesses strong seasonal demand ahead of Eid, particularly for kurta sets, pathani suits and other festive wear. Dispatches typically commence around two weeks before the festival to ensure timely availability in retail markets.
Industry representatives indicated that order books had strengthened compared to the previous month, prompting several units to introduce additional shifts and expedite shipments.
Nevertheless, small manufacturers flagged tight liquidity and limited access to working capital as significant impediments. Manohar Agrawal, a trader in readymade garments, observed that while demand remained robust, financial constraints had locked up capital for many smaller units, restricting their ability to scale output despite strong enquiries.
Despite these challenges, traders expect the improved dispatch trend to continue until the festival, with Eid providing a vital seasonal boost to Indore’s garment cluster, regarded as one of central India’s key apparel manufacturing hubs.
