19 April 2023, Mumbai
The Indian trousers market has been experiencing rapid growth due to a variety of factors. India's management consulting firm of repute, Technopak, has reported that the non-denim bottom wear market in India for men, women, and children was valued at Rs. 41,988 crores way back in 2017.
Projections; The firm has projected that this segment will experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% over the next ten years and will reach a valuation of Rs. 78,480 crores by 2027.
Trousers Market in India
Trousers are the second largest category in menswear, accounting for 23% of the total market. The men’s trousers market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% to reach Rs 58,602 crore by 2028.
Favourable demographics; The women’s trousers category, although small, is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~9% to reach a market size of Rs 3,689 crore by 2027. The kids’ bottom wear market was worth Rs 8,575 crore in 2017 and accounted for ~25% of the total bottom wear market of the country.
A Booming Industry Driven by Fashion Awareness and Rising Disposable Income
The demand for chic trousers is being driven by the increasing fashion awareness among the Indian youth, the availability of international brands, and higher disposable income.
The formal women’s trouser segment has received a major boost due to the growing number of women entering the corporate world and economic independence, with more urban working women accepting concepts like ‘board room dressing’ and ‘business dressing’ that involve extensive use of formal trousers.
Value Brands and Private Labels Rapidly Growing
The trousers market in India can be divided into four broad price categories - super-premium, premium, mid, and economy, across the men’s, women’s, and kids’ segments.
The mid and economy segments contribute the largest chunk to the men’s trousers market with a share of approximately 82% of the total market. Value brands and private labels are growing rapidly in these segments as consumers’ awareness of brands has increased considerably through the years. At the same time, consumers are increasingly seeking value for money.
The Rise of Chic Trousers in India
The Indian trousers market can be divided into three segments - men’s, women’s, and kids. The men’s segment comprises ~71% of the total market, followed by the kids’ segment, which accounts for ~25%, and finally, the women’s segment, which accounts for ~4% of the total share.
ALBEIT! The women’s trousers segment is small in the overall women’s fashion segment, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~9% for the next decade to reach a market size of Rs 3,689 crore by 2027. The key growth levers behind such a high growth rate are the increasing number of working women, changing lifestyles, fashion awareness, and higher spending patterns.
Indian Youth Driving the Demand for Trendy Trousers
The market for trousers in India is influenced by various factors such as changing fashion trends, rising disposable income, and the growth of e-commerce.
Urban, metro, and Tier I cities in India are the major markets for premium trousers, while Tier II and smaller towns/hinterland are the key markets for mid-range and value-for-money products.
Exports market scenario
India is ranked 8th on the list, with cotton trouser exports to the United States increasing by over 66% year on year in 2021, totaling US $ 365.83 million.
Booming Indian Trousers Market
According to a report by Research and Markets, the Indian men's trousers market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2021 to 2026.
Although specific figures on the market size for trousers in India broken down by urban, Tier I, and Tier II cities are not available, it is expected that the growth in the coming few years for the retail category, as a whole, will come from Tier II and III cities.
E-commerce and Mobile Data Fuel the Growth of the Trousers Market in India
Bringing Brands to Smaller Towns and Cities; The availability of mobile data and the growth of online shopping portals offering delivery to the remotest of pin codes/underserved/unreached in India have enabled brands and manufacturers to reach previously underserved customers living in smaller towns and cities across India. The Indian trousers market has immense potential for growth as we move ahead.
The Indian youth's fashion awareness and their willingness to experiment with new styles are the key drivers of this growth. Trousers are becoming a fashion statement for Indian youth and also fashion transcending to "Bharat" where the action is.
