Hosiery manufacturers fear low sales in winter

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 2

The hosiery industry here seems not to be enthusiastic as far as the winter season is concerned. Otherwise, in routine, by this time the sampling starts and by August, the production begins in full swing. But this time, hosiery manufacturers believe that consumers are in no mood to spend much on clothes, especially on the fashionable garments.

Sudershan Jain from Oner Knitwear said: “We always try to remain positive as minor ups and downs are there in business. But this time, the market is bleak.”

“We have no reason to start 100 per cent production as consumers are in no mood to spend on expensive jackets, fancy sweaters, etc. They believe since they are not going out much, there is no need to spend big amounts on clothes. Things which they are focusing on at present are casual wear, which they can wear at home. They are not interested in formals. Though top corporate houses, to whom we supply stock, are showing us a rosy picture but we are going with just 25 per cent production of the last year’s turnover. When we opened showrooms after the lockdown, only casual items were purchased by consumers,” he said.

He added that if they see any improvement in the situation ahead, they could increase the production.

The hosiery manufacturers said no one had the answer as to when things would get improved. Keeping it in mind, they were not eager to make expensive stuff.

Chairman of the Ludhiana Wool Manufacturing Association Sanju Dhir said the hosiery industry was neither happy nor hopeful as far as the winters were concerned.

“Corporate houses have still not made our payments. How can we go ahead with more production. There are no labourers. We used to have 400-500 workers and now, we are working with only 20-30 persons. The industry used to run non-stop during peak production days but nowadays, we are running units for six-eight hours. In the present scenario, it is difficult to say anything. Only essential items are purchased by people,” he said.

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