India’s Gen Z to drive half of fashion market by 2030: Reedseer

India’s Gen Z is set to drive nearly half of the country’s fashion market—including apparel, footwear, and accessories—by 2030, according to Reedseer. This generation is projected to account for 27 per cent of India’s population and drive nearly $1.3 trillion in consumption by the end of decade.

Fast fashion, particularly products priced below ₹1,000 (~$10.82), dominates their consumption patterns, reflecting a clear preference for affordable purchases, Reedseer said in an article titled ‘Gen Z: Defining Trends, Influencing Spends’ by Mrigank Gutgutia.

India’s Gen Z will drive nearly half of the fashion market by 2030, with $1.3 trillion in spending, according to Reedseer.
Value-conscious and digitally native, they favour affordable fast fashion and are influenced by peers and online content.
Their choices prioritise identity, comfort, and authenticity, while also shaping household purchases.

Having grown up in a digital-first environment, Gen Z consumers exhibit a strong comfort with online platforms, a behaviour further reinforced during the pandemic years. As many enter the workforce, their spending is increasingly directed towards identity-building, with purchasing decisions shaped heavily by peer influence and social validation.

Despite becoming the largest user base on leading fashion e-commerce platforms, Gen Z consumers tend to spend less per transaction than millennials, underscoring their value-conscious approach. At the same time, categories such as men’s accessories and sneakers are witnessing strong growth, indicating evolving consumption patterns across genders.

Comfort and versatility define Gen Z’s fashion choices, with two-thirds preferring semi-formal or casual wear even in professional settings. Beyond personal consumption, this cohort plays a decisive role in shaping household purchasing decisions, particularly for emerging brands, effectively acting as internal influencers within families.

Gen Z prioritises authenticity, inclusivity, and self-expression, with around 52 per cent choosing products that align with their identity, while nearly half discover brands through digital content. This has made influencer-led marketing and creator collaborations central to brand-building efforts.

The article emphasised that successful brands must transition from aspirational messaging to identity-driven positioning, supported by personalisation, community engagement, and cultural relevance. As Gen Z consumers establish long-term preferences in their twenties, brands that succeed in building early affinity are likely to secure sustained competitive advantage in the years ahead.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)