Consumption for woolens and thermal clothing has fallen by 30 per cent Y-o-Y this season, owing mostly to the late onset of winter, causing knitwear manufacturers to reduce output by up to 50 per cent.
Dealers and distributors are hesitant to take on additional stock since they have yet to discharge last year’s stock, and producers do not expect the current chilly weather in most of north India to contribute to an increase in demand for knitwear.
K.B. Agarwal, managing director of Rupa & Company stated, “If the winter chill hits in November, sales increase. However, this time, winter struck the country in the middle of December. Everyone understands that by mid-January, the winter chill will start to fade away.”
Dhayur Alam, owner of Himalayan Weavers explained, “Sales have fallen flat, and we are not seeing footfalls increase even though the chill has returned,” said
Sanjay Jain, managing director of TT Ltd., and head of the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s national textile committee, stated, “Winter sales have decreased since our country’s winter season has become shorter. People are unwilling to pay for winter clothing as a result of this weather phenomenon. The industries are proceeding carefully and are not accumulating any inventory.”
