SME Times News Bureau | 01 Jan, 2009
A recent media report has indicated that with flattened demand in overseas markets, many Indian textile manufacturers, particularly in the Coimbatore region have started focusing on the local retail market in the last few months, launching branded products for the domestic consumers.

The report published in the daily newspaper, The Hindu, sited examples of several companies who have recently launched exclusive range for their Indian consumers including Pollachi-based Appachi Cotton who has launched Ethicus (hand-woven fabric and apparels made of organic cotton) and and Coimbatore-based Muthukumarasamy Textiles has launched S&M Kids Wear. Meanwhile another Coimbatore-based Premier Mills plans to roll out Premier Fine Linens (bed linen and related products) in the Southern States by the end of this fiscal, the report said.

Southern India Mills' Association Chairman J. Thulasidharan told the newspaper that Tamil Nadu was expected to emerge as a hub of retail brands in the next four or five years with more number of textile manufacturers, who were either focusing on exports or conversion work, launching value-added end products.

The manufacturers wanted to go in for value-added products and not do just the conversion work, such as cotton to yarn or yarn to fabric. The huge population in India, increase in spending and preference for better products were creating a demand for different types of textile goods.

Mani Chinnaswamy of Appachi Cotton was quoted by the newspaper as saying that his company has decided to launch an "ethical fashion brand" in the domestic market as India was a growth story now and the heritage sector had consumers.

The company plans to tie up with partners for selling its products and it is looking at different formats, including boutiques and e-portals.

Shanthi Srinivasan of Premier Mills told the newspaper that the company was exporting bed linen for more than a decade now and started planning two years ago to venture into the domestic market.

With the Indian market growing and emphasis on bed linen and home textile products now, Premier has decided to enter the domestic segment now. Those who enter retailing with brands should focus on consistency in quality, Mr. Thulasidharan told the newspaper.