Ludhiana: Although winter is the peak time for the textile industry to make sales, the traders have reported that all their hopes have been dashed to the ground due to late arrival of the winter season. The industry which has already been facing stagnation for the last few years failed to get relief this winter as well.
As per textile associations, the fear of retaining stock has led them to sell winter clothes at discounted prices.
However, the industrialists have some reason to cheer as this winter witnessed a sharp rise in the sale of winter accessories including gloves, scarves, boots and winter socks. Garment manufacturers said people had not even started visiting stores for winter shopping halfway through December.
They said the manufacturing of winter clothes usually comes to an end in September or October and the manufacturers start preparing for the production of summer season.
Vinod Thapar, president of Knitwear and Textile Club, said, “the industry was first hit by demonetisation, then Covid-19 and now late arrival of winter. Only the incentives and facilities from the government can help us.”
Charanjit Singh, an industrialist, said, “There is only 5% increase in the sale compared to routine days. Apart from late arrival of winter, low demand is also a major reason.”
Rajesh Gupta, vice president of Knitwear and Textile Club, “Late winter only benefitted the retailers. We cleared out stocks in November. If winter came earlier, we would have got more orders.”
