Womens western wear accounts for 25 per cent of the Rs 78,500 crore womens wear market, as per a 2012 report by consulting firm Technopak Advisors. The western clothing market is growing at 30 per cent CAGR (compound annual growth rate). The overall women apparel market is heavily dominated by ethnic wear, which accounts for roughly 70-75 per cent of all apparel sales; western wear that has lower penetration vis-a-vis organised retailers, accounts for the remaining, according to Technopak Advisors.
Denim, innerwear, and tops/shirts/T-shirts are the high-growth categories within the womens wear segment. Denim is growing at a CAGR of 17 per cent with tops, shirts and T-shirts growing at 11 per cent.
With the entry of international brands, the demand is expected to surge, according to industry sources. Estimates by companies peg the growth rate at between 40 per cent and 50 per cent a year. Womens western wear is growing much faster than menswear, say sources.