CMAI integrates precision sourcing with new digital navigation at 82nd NGF 2026 in Mumbai
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16 January 2026, Mumbai
The 82nd National Garment Fair (NGF) is set to transform Mumbai’s Bombay Exhibition Centre into the nerve center of the Indian apparel industry from January 20–22, 2026.
This edition arrives at a critical juncture as domestic consumption emerges as the primary stabilizer for an industry navigating fluctuating global export demands.
Spanning 7 lakh sq ft, the event serves as a high-stakes barometer for the Spring–Summer season, hosting over 1,085 brands across 1,070 stalls.
With Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Textiles, presiding as Chief Guest, the fair underscores the strategic alignment between government policy and the private sector’s push for a standardized, organized retail landscape.
Digital integration and operational efficiency
Recognizing the increasing complexity of large-scale B2B sourcing, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has introduced a sophisticated stall-locator feature to streamline the buyer experience. This digital leap is designed to bridge the gap between traditional manufacturers and modern e-commerce decision-makers, who now represent a significant portion of the fair’s footfall.
By facilitating on-the-spot registrations and providing a premium, high-efficiency environment, the NGF aims to minimize the ‘search cost’ for retailers, allowing for faster inventory cycles in a market that is increasingly dictated by rapid, trend-led consumer behavior.
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Strategic move towards domestic resilience
The 2026 fair highlights a decisive industry move toward the domestic market, which is currently projected to grow by nearly 10.5 per cent this fiscal year. As international trade faces headwinds from logistics and evolving tariff structures, Indian manufacturers are intensifying their focus on the ‘Aspirational India’ segment - specifically Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The 82nd NGF provides the vital infrastructure for regional brands to scale nationally, offering a neutral ground where
boutique designers and mass-market manufacturers can secure the distribution networks necessary to capture a larger share of the country's expanding middle-class wallet.
The CMAI stewardship and industry background
As the definitive voice of the Indian apparel sector for over six decades, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) represents a massive network of 7,000 members and 50,000 retailers.
The association has been instrumental in modernizing the industry, notably through the 2019 launch of the SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution) initiative, which guides brands toward circularity and ESG compliance.
Historically, CMAI’s influence extends to the very foundations of India’s trade infrastructure, having led the creation of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) in 1978. Today, it maintains a robust financial and strategic outlook by serving as the primary bridge between the Ministry of Textiles and a manufacturing base that produces over 22 billion garment pieces annually.
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