Synopsis: This article explores the dynamics of clothing purchases in India, revealing a continued dominance of traditional retail avenues like malls and stores despite the growing popularity of online shopping. While a significant portion of consumers still prefer trying on clothes in person, there's a notable uptick in online purchases, driven by factors such as discounts and convenience.
According to the survey, 4 percent of households currently rely solely on e-commerce for purchasing clothes, whereas 9 percent indicated that their clothing is custom-made or tailored.
Despite the surge in online apparel purchases facilitated by popular websites offering a plethora of options, traditional brick-and-mortar stores and malls remain predominant.
Nearly half of the respondents in a survey still rely on physical stores to try on clothing before making a purchase. However, there's a notable shift towards online shopping, with 40 percent of respondents indicating a balanced mix of in-store and online purchases.
According to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, 47 percent of respondents primarily opt for malls or stores where they can physically try on clothes, while 4 percent exclusively use e-commerce for clothing purchases, and 9 percent prefer custom-made or tailored clothing.
The reasons behind the preference for online shopping are varied, with better discounts being cited by 37 percent of respondents, followed by ease of exchange, return, and refunds (29 percent), more choices (26 percent), and miscellaneous factors (11 percent).
Despite the convenience of online shopping, many customers still prefer in-person shopping or malls, primarily due to the ability to touch, feel, and try on items (81 percent), followed by a wider selection (44 percent), ease of exchange and return (33 percent), instant gratification (28 percent), bargaining opportunities (28 percent), and other reasons (9 percent).
A report highlights that although the pandemic accelerated the adoption of online apparel shopping, physical stores and markets remain the preferred choice for many.
Factors such as convenience fees, delivery charges, and return fees imposed by some online platforms act as barriers to the growth of online apparel sales. Unless substantial discounts continue to be offered, online apparel purchasing in India is expected to experience stagnant or slow growth.
The Indian textile and apparel industry plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing nearly 2 percent to the GDP, accounting for 14 percent of industrial production, 27 percent of foreign exchange inflows, and 13 percent of export earnings, according to the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
It is projected that total Indian apparel consumption expenditure will reach Rs 9.35 lakh crore by 2024.
In conclusion, while online apparel shopping is on the rise in India, traditional brick-and-mortar stores and malls continue to hold sway in the market.
The convenience and variety offered by e-commerce platforms attract some consumers, but the tactile experience and other advantages of in-person shopping still resonate strongly with many.
Challenges such as additional fees and the inability to physically interact with products act as barriers to the full potential of online sales. Therefore, the future of India's apparel market may see a balance between digital and physical retail channels, with both playing significant roles in meeting consumer preferences and driving industry growth.
