09 February 2026, Mumbai
With its valuation hitting $95.83 billion in 2025 and projected to climb to $121.87 billion by 2034, India’s women’s apparel market is undergoing a structural transformation. Moving at a CAGR of 2.71 per cent, this growth is no longer confined to urban hubs. Instead, the ‘Bharat Surge’ has turned Tier-II and Tier-III cities into the industry's primary growth engines, now accounting for over 60 per cent of online fashion orders.
Contextual commerce disrupts traditional retail
In a move that merges entertainment with immediate consumption, January 2026 saw JioHotstar launch its ‘Shop the Look’ feature. Debuting during MTV Splitsvilla in partnership with the Gen-Z brand NewMe, the technology allows viewers to purchase on-screen outfits via a native shopping layer without pausing the stream. This shift toward ‘in-stream commerce’ reflects a broader industry move to capture impulse purchases where inspiration strikes, bypassing traditional search-led journeys.
Platform wars and the D2C democratization
To counter rising customer acquisition costs, Myntra introduced a landmark zero-commission model in early 2026 under its ‘Rising Stars’ program. By waiving transaction fees for emerging homegrown labels, the platform is betting on advertising and logistics revenue - which already accounted for over 63 per cent of its total revenue in FY25 - to offset the loss. This initiative has already onboarded over 2,000 digital-first brands, allowing small-scale designers from regional pockets to access a monthly active user base of 75 million.
Sustainable fusion and the sustainability mandate
Modern closets are increasingly ‘blended,’ as urban professionals demand hybrid ‘fusion wear’ that mixes ethnic aesthetics with western functionality. However, the most significant long-term shift is the rise of the eco-conscious consumer. Labels like Syka Clothing have gained traction by prioritizing transparent production and recycled fabrics. With online return rates for apparel in India hovering between 25 per cent and 40 per cent, leading retailers are now deploying AI-driven sizing tools and QR-based traceability to reduce the massive carbon footprint of reverse logistics.
Imarc Group provides comprehensive sector reports across India’s retail and textile landscapes. Specializing in data-backed forecasting and competitive benchmarking, the firm helps global and domestic brands navigate the over $121 billion women's apparel opportunity. With a focus on digital disruption and sustainable supply chains, Imarc’s 2026 outlook emphasizes margin-led growth over pure volume.











