The story
Gandhi Nagar in east Delhi grew after Partition as refugee families set up tailoring shops and small garment workshops. It became a wholesale market where traders from across India buy budget readymade garments, much of it stitched in small units in the same area. The Delhi government has called it Asia's largest readymade garment market and planned to redevelop it as a garment hub. The area lacks parking, sanitation and transport facilities.
In numbers
The daily turnover of the Gandhi Nagar market is more than ₹100 crore and it generates one lakh direct and 2 to 3 lakh indirect jobs, according to the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister.
FashionNetwork — Government to invest in Gandhi Nagar market to create apparel hub · 2022
Ways in for a newcomer
- Buying wholesale garments for small-town retail shops
- Job-work stitching, washing or finishing for Gandhi Nagar traders
- Online reselling of budget garments
- Transport and parcel booking for outstation buyers
Problems the cluster faces
- No parking, poor sanitation and transport
- Fire risk in crowded buildings
- Competition from online wholesale apps
- Thin margins in budget garments
Businesses to start here
Denim Garments (Jeans, Jackets, Shorts) →Readymade Garments Unit (Baby Rompers) →Children's Garments →Denim Washing Unit →Clothing and Apparel Retail Store →