Technology a key driver of fashion retail growth

16 Mar '12

5 min read

Moderating the session on Lingerie market in India, Madhumita Sinha, Executive Editor, Images business of fashion, highlighted, “The Indian Lingerie Market is growing at 12% per annum and is expected to touch Rs 6,700 crores by the end of 2012.

While changing mindsets and lifestyles are significantly contributing to this segment's growth, innerwear still continues to be perceived as a functional need than a style statement. Currently only 200 of the 1,000 innerwear brands are active nationally.”

The panelists included the top honchos from leading lingerie brands - La Senza, Amante, Lycra and Pretty Secrets. The panelists observed that while international brands like La Senza and Amante are making inroads into the Indian market, the annual spend on lingerie continues to be phenomenally low.

Mr. Karan Behal, Founder & CEO, MTC Retail & ECom put forth that 'point-of-purchase' is the weakest link in lingerie retailing since the shopping environment is extremely intimidating for the women who are confronted with male sales personnel and lack of fitting rooms.

The session on Human Resources – Building Human Capital highlighted some glaring insights on attracting talent in the Indian textile industry. The panelist's included top executives and human resource stalwarts-Kamal Seksaria-KBS International, Atul Agarwal, Director - Linen Fiesta, Sangeeta D'Souza, Human Resources Head - Donear, Shathi Sharma, General Manager, Human Resources – Lifestyle.

Ms Sangeeta Dsouza, Head of Human Resources at Donear said, “There is a shortage of educated professionals in the Indian textile industry, which is more owner driven at present. Although the industry is the second largest in contributing to the GDP of the country it lacks corporate culture that exists in multi-national company.”

Adding further, Mr Atul Agarwal, Director at Linen Fiesta said, “The association of textile federations with leading institutes can play a pivotal role in creating and attracting skilled industry professionals. The Indian textile industry should adopt a similar model like the I.T industry that thrives on constantly training and nurturing professionals to evolve to a level that meets with current business requirements.

Women can play a crucial role in the transformation of the Indian textile industry as they have in leading textile nations like China and Italy.

Shathi Sharma, General Manager, Human Resources – Lifestyle said, “The professional element which is absent in most textile set ups is an important factor. It is very challenging to meet with the requirements of the current generations needs to be given significance.

There is a conflict of cultures between textile owners and the newer generations of professionals that needs to be addressed currently. Nurturing fresh talent should be a part of the overall mentoring in textile organizations.

India Fashion Forum

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