The kidswear market in India including uniforms has seen a growth of 18.2 per cent in the year 2007, while kidswear market witnessed annual value growth of 22.5 per cent in 2007 as compared to 2006, says India Apparel Report by Images F&R Research, which has been published in recently released Images Yearbook 2008.
According to the research, the kidswear segment in India has grown at the rate of 15.6 per cent in value terms and 4.36 per cent in volume terms in 2007. The greatest obstacle to the healthy growth of this market is the overwhelmingly large supply of unbranded kidswear in the market. Volume share of kidswear segment in the total apparel market stands at 24.5 per cent, as against 14.1 per cent share in value terms.
Growth in value is exceptionally high in all kidswear ranges. There is over 37 per cent rise in the super premium range, 35 per cent in the premium range, and 21.5 per cent in the mid range. The economy and mass ranges saw 13.4 per cent and 6.7 per cent growth, respectively.
The uniforms category has grown at the rate of 22.5 per cent in value terms and 9.3 per cent in volumes in 2007. Out of this, school uniforms is a largely volume-driven segment and its volume share in the total apparel market stands at 9.6 per cent, as against 9.4 per cent share in value terms. The trend is towards a faster growth in value as compared to volumes, indicating that buyers are willing to shell out more for comfortable and quality offerings, if available.
Uniforms are dominated by tailor-made garments as against readymades, but branded offerings are fast increasing their market share within this category. The high value and volumes growth in 2007 in the uniform segment is suggestive of a high potential for acceptance to branded uniforms.
