Business

Indian Apparel Retail Sector May Witness 45% Fall In Revenues This Fiscal: Report

Ind-Ra said it expects companies in the apparel retail sector to weather the near-term demand volatility and sluggishness through effective liquidity management, while also improving their competitive advantage. The lower base effect due to Covid-19 would also support year-on-year quarterly revenues, it added. The apparel retail sector is likely to witness a 40-45% decline in revenues during 2020-21, and a demand recovery is expected in the festive season this year if Covid-19-related fears subside, according to a report by India Ratings and Research. The rating agency said it expects companies in the apparel retail sector to weather the near-term demand volatility and sluggishness through effective liquidity management, while also improving their competitive advantage. "Ind-Ra expects the apparel retail sector revenues to fall 40-45% in fiscal 2020-21. It also expects a demand recovery from the second half of 3QFY21 during the festive season, assuming that Covid-19 related fears will subside," the rating agency added. Ind-Ra said a continued countrywide lockdown beyond the second quarter of 2020-21 or a prolonged impact of the Covid-19 pandemic will lead to a further downward revision of revenue estimates. "The 2020-21 fiscal will see a sharp recovery year-on-year with a lower base effect and new store openings as the organised sector's share continues to grow," it said. Ind-Ra said that by the third quarter of the current financial year, it expects overall sales of the apparel retail sector to touch around 85% of the pre-Covid-19 levels. "Consumer behaviour patterns such as 'revenge buying' may play out and support revenues," it noted. The rating agency said it expects pre-Covid-19 level demand in the apparel retail sector by the fourth quarter of 2020-21, with the impact of Covid-19-led demand erosion gradually declining, and economic recovery accelerating. The lower base effect due to Covid-19 would also support year-on-year quarterly revenues, it added.