The Growing Kidswear Market in India: Trends, Insights, & Projections

The growing popularity of specialised categories like ethnicwear, winterwear, and gender-specific clothing has contributed to the sector's expansion, particularly in urban and semi-urban markets...

Madhulika Tiwari, Partner, Retail & Consumer Goods Parmesh Chopra, Head Content Writer, Technopak Advisors

India's kidswear market is undergoing a significant transformation, fuelled by a combination of demographic trends, rising disposable incomes, and shifting consumer preferences. With over 30% of India's population under the age of 14, the demand for children's clothing is surging, positioning kidswear as one of the most rapidly growing segments within the broader apparel industry.

According to Technopak analysis, in FY2023, the Indian kidswear market was valued at ₹41,769 crore, approximately 11% of the total apparel market. This sector has demonstrated consistent growth, with a notable 11% year-on-year increase in FY2019. Although the market experienced a setback in FY2021 due to the pandemic, which saw a decline of over 27%, it rebounded swiftly in FY2022, with a remarkable growth rate of 41.4%. By FY2023, the market had shown further positive momentum, growing by 28.9%, signalling a rapid recovery and continued expansion.

A range of factors are driving this growth, including a shift towards premium and branded kidswear, the rise of online shopping, and increased fashion consciousness among parents. E-commerce platforms have emerged as key distribution channels, catering to the needs of tech-savvy millennial and Gen Z parents who seek convenience and variety. Additionally, the growing popularity of specialised categories like ethnicwear, winterwear, and gender-specific clothing has contributed to the sector's expansion, particularly in urban and semi-urban markets.

Market Analysis (Boys & Girls Combined) The Indian kidswear market has demonstrated impressive growth over the past few years and is projected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming decade.