Semi-stitched garments increase profits in MMF sector

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Oct 26, 2017

​In many Indian metros, the demand for semi-stitched garments, such as salwar kameez sets, is rising, spelling good news for Surat, the country’s largest man-made fabric (MMF) hub.

The Chairman of the Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry (FIASWI), Bharat Gandhi, recently spoke about how the government is launching incentivising schemes for the cotton producing sector but has not done so for the polyester sector. Despite this, and the high labour costs in Surat compared to other production hubs, Gandhi said that the “semi-stitched segment is performing well.” This performance is driven by the increased demand for semi-stitched garments that the city produces in large quantities.

Dinesh Zaveri, a semi-stitched garment manufacturer, said, “There is huge scope for business in the semi-stitched garment segment. Since the past couple of years, the trend of semi-stitched garments has picked up as customers like to further stitch their garments according to their body posture, size and length. Most of our semi-stitched or half-stitched garments like salwar kameez, suit dupatta, etc, are selling on online platforms. Of late, many weaving unit owners have forayed into the semi-stitched segment as profit margins are quite good.” The demand for ethic wear is showing no signs of slowing down for womenswear and this is also good news for semi-stitched garment production.

Another semi-stitched garments manufacturer, Ramesh Punjabi, said: “Around 80% of my salwar kameez and suit dupatta items are supplied to Delhi and Punjab. Gone are the days when women would purchase plain fabric. Now it is time for semi-stitched garments.”