The 9th edition of the Garment Show of India (GSI), a premier platform for the apparel and fashion industry, was officially inaugurated today at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. Running for two days, from December 19 to 20, 2024, the event seeks to create new business opportunities by connecting prominent entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and stakeholders from around the globe. The show primarily focuses on B2B sourcing for apparel, fashion accessories, and home textiles, underlining India’s growing influence in the global textile market.
Hybrid Format to Enhance Global Participation
Organized by Gagan Marwah and Deepti Marwah, the event adopts a hybrid format, ensuring participation from both domestic and international attendees. A wide range of stakeholders, including buying offices, liaison offices, e-commerce platforms, distributors, and wholesalers are actively involved, with over 5,000 visitors expected from both domestic and international markets.
India, as a rapidly growing economy, has made significant strides in apparel and fashion. The introduction of new categories and involvement of corporate sectors has brought dynamism to the industry. However, we need to focus on speed, talent development, and government support to further our growth. Despite our potential, India still lags behind countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan in some areas. Collaboration and sustainability are key to achieving our goals.
Vineet Gautam
CEO, Bestseller India
Inaugural Session and Key Guests
The event opened with a warm address by Deepti Marwah, who welcomed the dignitaries and delegates. Special guests at the event included:
- Vineet Gautam, CEO, Bestseller Group
- Alpana Rajdan, Countr Manager, Falabella
- Ritesh Sharma, Relianc Industries
- Jasveen Kaur, Senior Director, New Times Grou
- Lalit Thakural, President, Noida Apparel Export Cluster
Inaugural discussions centered around pressing issues such as sustainable fashion, sourcing challenges, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian suppliers.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Vineet Gautam highlighted the importance of leadership and innovation in the industry: “India, as a rapidly growing economy, has made significant strides in apparel and fashion. The introduction of new categories and involvement of corporate sectors has brought dynamism to the industry. However, we need to focus on speed, talent development, and government support to further our growth. Despite our potential, India still lags behind countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan in some areas. Collaboration and sustainability are key to achieving our goals.”
Alpana Rajdan, Country Manager at Falabella, shared her insights on India’s sourcing potential:
“India is a diverse subcontinent with immense opportunities in apparel sourcing. While Falabella sources 50% of its products from India, there is a need for Indian manufacturers to adapt and evolve. By embracing change and focusing on quality, India can take center stage in global sourcing.”
Jasveen Kaur, Senior Director at New Times Group, emphasized collaboration:
“Noida offers tremendous potential as a sourcing hub, especially with its diversity and infrastructure. Establishing better connectivity between Noida and Gurgaon could boost business by 80-90%. This is a golden opportunity for Indian manufacturers to secure long[1]term partnerships.
Ritesh Sharma, Head of Reliance Trends, focused on innovation:
“The future of India’s textile industry lies in man-made fibers and recycling. With global demand rising, productivity and sustainability must be our focus areas. Domestic markets also need to expand to match the scale of international demands. Lalit Thakural, President of the Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC), shared his vision for Noida’s growth “Noida has grown exponentially as a manufacturing hub, producing everything from affordable garments to Hollywood-style dresses. The establishment of apparel and textile parks in Uttar Pradesh will further boost capacity and exports. With hardworking labor from states like UP and Bihar, Noida is poised to become a global leader in apparel manufacturing.” The Garment Show of India 2024 is poised to be a landmark event, reinforcing India’s role as a global apparel powerhouse. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, the show is setting the stage for future growth and success in the textile industry.