India emerges as a key growth market for apparel, footwear and sportswear: Euromonitor International
23 March 2026: Amid longevity and wellness becoming new status symbols, the global sportswear market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2% between 2025 and 2030, outpacing the wider apparel market, according to market intelligence company, Euromonitor International.
Findings from Euromonitor’s World Market for Apparel and Footwear 2026 report show the global apparel and footwear market was valued at USD1.9 trillion in 2025, with growth expected to remain below a 1% CAGR through to 2030.
Global consumers are becoming more discerning with how they spend on fashion, prioritising value, wellbeing and experiences over volume. According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2025, 71% of global consumers are still concerned about rising everyday costs, driving intentional consumption and greater scrutiny of perceived value, accelerating market polarisation around the globe.
Marguerite Le Rolland, Senior Global Insight Manager for Fashion at Euromonitor International, said: “Consumers are not necessarily buying less fashion, but they are buying differently, on either the primary or secondary market. Value now extends beyond price and intrinsic product features to include durability, versatility and emotional connection, creating clear growth opportunities for brands that understand these shifting priorities.”
India’s rapid growth in the global apparel and footwear market
In 2025, India ranked fifth in global apparel and footwear growth with a 3.7% increase. The surge was fuelled by a young, tech-savvy population and higher disposable incomes, especially among Gen Z. Digital retail platforms are driving influencer-led commerce and personalisation, while modern retail infrastructure attracts global brands.
The sportswear market is expanding rapidly, thanks to growing fitness trends and the influence of international brands. In India, sportswear saw strong growth in 2025, with sales rose by 11% to reach USD9.5 billion. This was fuelled by higher disposable incomes and a growing urban middle class.
The upward trend is expected to continue, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 10%, reaching USD15 billion by 2030. The market’s appeal comes from its potential to grow further, driven by rising demand for comfortable and versatile clothing, as well as changes in the retail scene, including the rise of quick commerce platforms and an increase in value fashion offerings from established companies.
Fashion expands through tech-enabled wellness
E-commerce sales continue to outperform other channels, bringing the share of online shopping to 32.4% of total sales of apparel and footwear in 2025. With the rise of agentic AI and shoppers increasingly using GenAI platforms in place of search engines, retailers and brands need to pivot their strategies and integrate new capabilities to offer the convenience and trust that shoppers expect of e-commerce.
As fashion purchases are rooted in emotional investment, the winners will be those that position agentic AI for extra convenience, but not a replacement for human touch, and continue to build their brand loyalty through community-led, hyper-local and culturally relevant initiatives.
https://www.euromonitor.com/apparel-and-footwear-in-india/report
