Fashion
Indian textile industry hails GST reforms, urges review of ₹2,500 slab
Sanjay K Jain, chairman of ICC’s National Textiles Committee, highlighted the broader implications: “The long-standing demand for removal of the inverted duty structure in MMF yarn and fabric has been met—bringing the entire chain under 5 per cent GST, in line with cotton. However, garments priced above ₹2,500 will become around 6 per cent costlier. The use of manmade textiles is expected to rise as a result.”
India’s textile and retail sector has welcomed the GST rationalisation, with industry bodies lauding removal of inverted duty and alignment of MMF with cotton at 5 per cent.
CMAI, RAI and NITMA hailed the move as transformative, though concerns remain over garments and footwear above ₹2,500 being placed in the 18 per cent slab.
Stakeholders urged the Council to adopt a uniform 5 per cent rate.
The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) said the changes address two major demands—removal of inverted duty and equalisation of cotton and MMF chains at 5 per cent. “The increase of the 5 per cent limit from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 is also an extremely positive move,” CMAI said, while urging the Council to reconsider taxing garments above this level at 18 per cent. “Garments above the price of ₹2,500 are also consumed in large numbers by the common man and middle class, especially woollen clothing, occasion wear, Indian traditional clothing and handlooms,” it added.
Suditi Industries Ltd, owner of kidswear brand Gini & Jony, said the revisions provide dual growth drivers—stronger consumption and improved margins. Commenting on the company’s expansion, Harsh Agarwal, CEO of Gini & Jony, said: “This is a pivotal time for Suditi. With the integration of Gini & Jony, we are no longer just a textile manufacturer—we are transforming into a consumer-facing retail powerhouse. The upcoming GST reforms and strengthening domestic consumption create a strong runway for growth.”
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) termed the move to a two-slab framework “a vital step towards simpler and fairer taxation” but warned against flaws in price-based thresholds. RAI said: “Such slabs create distortions, promote grey market activity, harm organised retail and discourage domestic manufacturing. All garments and footwear should ideally be taxed at 5 per cent, or at the very least, a more reasonable price threshold should be established.”
For the Northern India Textile Mills Association (NITMA), the decision marks a “transformative milestone” for India’s MMF sector. NITMA president, Sidharth Khanna, said: “We are pleased to share that the long-standing issue of the inverted duty structure in GST for MMF textiles has been successfully addressed. These changes will significantly lower costs across the MMF and technical textiles value chain, enhancing efficiency and export competitiveness.”
Raghunath Mannil Balakrishnan, chief executive officer at Mafatlal Industries Limited, opined, “The 56th GST Council reforms bring both opportunities and challenges for the textile and apparel sector. While the increase of GST on coal from 5 per cent to 18 per cent will push up fabric processing costs, the reduction of GST on yarn from 12 per cent to 5 per cent should partially balance this out. As a result, fabric prices overall may not see a significant change. What is particularly encouraging is the reduction of GST on garments priced below ₹2,500 from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. This is a consumer-friendly move that will make mid-market apparel more affordable, stimulate demand, and strengthen growth in this critical segment. For an industry that is both price-sensitive and volume-driven, such measures can provide the much-needed impetus for growth. At Mafatlal, we see this as a positive step that can support industry volumes while ensuring affordability for a wider base of consumers.”
The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) also hailed the GST rationalisation as a long-pending demand fulfilled, calling it a breakthrough for the MMF textile value chain. Dr. S K Sundararaman, chairman, SIMA, said: “This bold and historic reform slots the entire MMF chain at 5 per cent, addressing raw material structural issues that had made the poor man’s clothing more expensive.”
He noted that global MMF accounts for 70 per cent of fibre consumption but only 30 per cent in India, largely due to earlier tax distortions. He added: “The government has set a vision to grow textiles from $172 billion to $350 billion and exports from $37 billion to $100 billion. Polyester will be the main growth engine to achieve this vision.”
Dr. Sundararaman also appreciated the establishment of fibre neutrality and the introduction of 90 per cent provisional refunds for raw material duties, saying these measures would “boost domestic consumption by 7–10 per cent in the near term and help India withstand abnormal tariffs imposed by the US.”
The Indian textile industry has collectively thanked the government for addressing long-standing demands, while pressing for further rationalisation to ensure all garments and footwear are taxed at a uniform rate.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
During the first seven months of ****, textile exports eased by *.* per cent to $***.* million. Over the same period, exports of other manufactured textile articles increased by ** per cent, totalling $** million, as reported in the Central Bank**;s publication External Sector Performance – July ****.
Combined exports of textiles, garments, and other manufactured textile articles accounted for **.** per cent of all industrial exports from Sri Lanka during the seven-month period. Total textile product exports amounted to $*,***.* million between January and July ****, while the country’s overall industrial exports were valued at $*,***.* million for the same period.
The net profit surged 16 per cent to €76.7 million (~$89.7 million), representing 11.2 per cent of sales, and the operating income amounted to €113.8 million (~$133.1 million), with a margin of 16.6 per cent.
Brunello Cucinelli has closed H1 2025 with revenues up 10.2 per cent to €684.1 million (~$800.4 million).
EBIT was up 8.8 per cent to €113.8 million (~$133.1 million), and net profit rose 16 per cent to €76.7 million (~$89.7 million).
Growth was broad-based across regions and channels.
The company expects revenue growth of around 10 per cent in both 2025 and 2026.
Region-wise, Europe saw an increase of 10 per cent YoY to €243.2 million, Americas sales went up 8.7 per cent to €245.3 million, and Asia led the revenue with a 12.5 per cent rise to €195.7 million. Retail revenues advanced 10.3 per cent to €435.8 million, while wholesale sales gained 10.1 per cent to €248.3 million.
The company accelerated its 2024–2026 investment plan, completing key projects a year ahead of schedule, including the doubling of its Solomeo factory. Total investments reached €63.5 million versus €44.8 million last year, Brunello Cucinelli said in a press release.
Payroll costs rose 11 per cent to €125.6 million as the workforce expanded to 3,283 employees, driven by increased artisanal and boutique staff. Despite higher lease and depreciation costs, the company maintained a solid financial structure, with net debt at €197.2 million, reflecting both investments and €68.8 million in dividends paid.
“We have closed the first half of 2025 with excellent results both in terms of revenue and profit, achieving the sound and gracious growth that we greatly value. Our aim has been to dignify manual work, conducting business with full respect for the moral and economic dignity of the human being,” said Brunello Cucinelli, executive chairman and creative director of the company.
“The Fall–Winter sales season has indeed begun very well, as has the order intake for Men’s and Women’s collections for the forthcoming Spring–Summer 2026. All of this, together with the pleasant atmosphere surrounding our brand, enables us to work with peace of mind and to envisage closing 2025 with healthy growth in revenue of around 10 per cent, accompanied by sound profits, and to look ahead to 2026 with the expectation of similarly balanced growth, again in the region of 10 per cent,” added Cucinelli.
The brand also highlighted its global presence with boutique expansions, including new locations on Sloane Street in London and in Vienna, and exclusive events at Harrods and Gstaad, reinforcing its premium positioning, added the release.
Brunello Cucinelli expects to close 2025 with revenue growth of around 10 per cent, supported by strong sales trends in July and August and a successful Fall–Winter 2025 launch. Upcoming showcases in Japan and Korea are set to further consolidate global reach. The Spring–Summer 2026 campaign has been well received—men’s collections completed with strong orders, while women’s are still being collected but with highly favourable feedback. Management anticipates similar balanced growth of around 10 per cent in 2026, with healthy profitability.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
According to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) weekly export sales report, sales were mainly to Vietnam (109,700 RB, including 4,300 RB switched from Nicaragua, 1,300 RB switched from Thailand, and a decrease of 100 RB), India (53,800 RB), China (35,200 RB), Bangladesh (31,900 RB), and Mexico (6,900 RB), partly offset by reductions for Nicaragua (4,300 RB).
US net sales of Upland cotton rose 36 per cent week-on-week to 245,000 running bales (RB) for 2025–26 during the week ending August 28, 2025, led by Vietnam, India, China, Bangladesh and Mexico, according to USDA.
Export shipments totalled 154,700 RB, mainly to Vietnam.
Pima cotton sales fell to 1,600 RB from 3,900 RB, while shipments reached 4,400 RB, with India the top destination.
Export shipments of Upland cotton totalled 154,700 RB, primarily destined for Vietnam (82,800 RB), Pakistan (17,500 RB), Mexico (11,000 RB), Honduras (6,600 RB), and India (6,300 RB).
Net sales of Pima cotton amounted to 1,600 RB for 2025–26, down from 3,900 RB the previous week. The main buyers were India (1,100 RB), Peru (400 RB), and Indonesia (100 RB), partly offset by reductions for Switzerland (200 RB).
Export shipments of Pima totalled 4,400 RB, mainly to India (2,500 RB), Egypt (700 RB), Peru (500 RB), Indonesia (300 RB), and Slovenia (100 RB).
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
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