Covid-19 has done immense damage, impacting the industry and the human life hugely. Indian retail industry in general and the fashion industry in particular, is the most affected. A survey by the Retailers Association of India (RAI) said that around 80,000 jobs are expected to be cut by various retailers due to the ongoing crisis. Small retailers are the worst affected with almost 30 per cent lay-offs during the lockdown. Team AO finds out, apart the job losses, segments which faced the strongest hit.

It all started with a bang when three Indian states – Jharkhand, Telangana and Odisha – lured the apparel manufacturing industry to start units in their regions. Many Indian as well as some global companies agreed to invest there. But the ground report exposed that these emerging hubs could not develop necessary allied support – enough skilled workforce, raw material availability and strong support structure – impacting the prospective growth of the industry. But now in the Covid phase, when companies are laying off their workers, will they still continue to invest in these hubs? Team AO prepares a ground report…

Meanwhile, Modelama Exports, Gurgaon, with group turnover of over Rs. 1,000 crore, is confident that with many innovations, they will overcome challenges. AO discussed future strategy of the exporter.