China –Europe “Bra Wars “
India largest opportunity to worst China and seize control of Europe insatiable demand for mass-produced cheap-and-cheerful fashion garments strengthened on Thursday with retailers saying they were frantically searching for alternative low-cost ,high –quality ,large scale Asian manufacturers of men trousers ,women smalls sweaters and T-shirts.The search is the result of the “Bra Wars” being fought between the European Union (EU) and China.
Even as nearly 80 million mass-produced Chinese garments meant for European shoppers remained stranded at continental customs checkpoint because of EU import quotas Europe largest and most-networked consortium ofrelaiters told TOI that this was “ a great opportunity for India” .With senior EU officials engaged in emergency talks with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing leading British retailers said they had been making urgent calls to factories in Bangalore and elsewhere in India in an attempt to fill shops with cheap clothing meant for Europe customarily cool autumn and bumper-sales Christmas rush.
The so-called “Bra Wars” have resulted in about 50million sweaters .17 million pairs of men trousers ,three million bra and four million T-shirts being detained at customs warehouses across Europe .This when the Europeans retailers who ordered and paid for them months ago are faced with the prospect of shelves emptying on a scale not seen since WW II .Alisdair Gray director of the British Retail Consortium which says it represents all UK retailers told TOI that Europe trade dispute with China had prompted a search for an alternative low-cost Asian supplier of cheap garments.
India was in garment export business a couple of decades back and was fairly offering good competition. However during the intervening period China, Taiwan , Thailand and some eastern countries dominated the scene and India was on back benches. It appears now that India has become a strategic and resourceful marketer and perhaps able to make its mark as a leader shortly.