"But the exposure of media helped a lot in changing the
taste and preferences of the people. Companies started taking a interest in
home fashion sector. Brands like Potrico, Atmosphere and Maspar became major
players in the sector. The home textile market evolved with factors like growth
in market , increase in disposable incomes, new patterns of living and combined
together it created the demand and aspirations of a good living style and so
these brands also evolved with the market", he concluded by saying.
Next we asked them to reveal their companies plans with
regards to expansion and product offerings in the next 1-2 years, to which Mr
Garg said, "We are almost present in every category and Maishaa plans to
launch its own exclusive stores in the Indian market and it will get into
retailing other home furnishing products such as wall papers too and it also
plans to have an international presence by launching itself in the global
market".
"Maspar already has 56-60 items in every collection and
we are using all the possibility available in textiles to make unique products
and no other brand in this category in India or anywhere is offering this much
of in-depth product offerings. We are continuously innovating different ways to
use textile in various forms and beyond bed, bath, table, fabric and kitchen
linen, Maspar will soon launch products for home and office stationary using
different fabrics along with which we are also focusing more on customization
of the product that suits the individual's taste sensibility", said the
spokesperson from Maspar.
Moving ahead, we then asked them whether the Indian home textiles
market had matured as much as the western ones in terms of product offerings,
to which Mr Garg explained by saying, "There is immense scope for home
textile exports from India, but only if, we can manufacture the right products.
Many companies are expanding in the basic home products like bed linen and
terry towels. Other product segments like upholstery, curtains, furnishings,
etc are not really getting that much attention. The going is good now, but
competition from China is very strong. India should focus on high value items,
in which China does not operate and home textiles are attracting a number of
foreign companies too".
"Amid growing international competitiveness, the
reasons for Indias success are not hard to find as apart from China, no other
country can match the size, depth, spread and competitiveness of the Indian
textile and apparel industry as India has a complete supply chain, from a vast
raw material supply to high quality finished products, with labour costs among
the lowest in the world along with which Indian firms offer experience,
entrepreneurship and design skills which Chinese firms find hard to match",
he ended by saying.
The spokesperson from Maspar replied with a big 'No', but
added by saying that, "It is at an evolving stage and it will take time to
mature to international levels. Brands like Mascara have in-depth offering in
western countries and we are selling there for the last 40 odd years and doing
the same here, but still the marketing here is small, when compared to Western
countries and to reach levels of western countries, it will take some time for
the Indian market".
In concluding the interview we asked them to list the
impediments in expanding in Indian markets and how they expect to overcome
them, to which the spokesperson from Maspar replied by saying, "There is a
need to educate on how to use the modern products made from textiles, exposing
and creating the need to live in a certain way beyond bed sheets, pillow &
quilts along with which the consumer needs to be informed on new age textile
products".
He concluded by saying, "Also economics play a major if
you were to compare with western countries, where the economy has grown in last
100 odd yrs and in India it has just started to grow, so until unless the over
all proposition does not grow it is hard to have big textile market, but yes,
one can emerge in a certain segment but not pan India".
"Yes, as everyone knows, Indian economy is much strong
than any other country and there is a huge potential for every player, either
domestic or international players. Now we are continuous seeing 100 percent
growth rate in Maishaa. In India if you have good design, nice fabrics and best
possible price, your brand become stronger and stronger and we are expecting
very good response from the consumers", Mr Garg replied by saying.
References:
- http://maspar.co.in/aboutus.asp
- http://www.maishaa.com/aboutus.html