



Erratic winter puts clothing retailers on thin ice for a second straight year
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Bengaluru: Sales of winter wear were underwhelming for the second year in a row as an unusually delayed and milder winter disrupted demand for heavy winter wear, particularly in north and west India, executives at two of India’s top clothing retailers said. Initial optimism for a bumper season this year compounded the disappointment for retailers.
While early signs of a La Niña — a weather pattern typically known for bringing freezing temperatures to India — triggered some early buying in the previous quarter, the season remained unusually mild, leaving stores with a surplus of winter clothing. Excess rainfall and cyclonic activity during the festive period in parts of eastern and southern India further weighed on seasonal buying, compounding the pressure on winter sales, which are typically front-loaded. This slump is particularly painful because winter sales are the industry's largest annual driver.
These months coincide with India's massive wedding season, when spending peaks. Together, they account for roughly 20% of total yearly revenue for apparel companies, according to industry estimates. India's apparel market was estimated to be worth more than ₹9 trillion in FY25, of which 41% was organised, credit ratings firm CareEdge said in January 2026.
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