Cold wave: Ludhiana's hosiery sector sees jump in sales

Ludhiana's oldest and famous hosiery sector has witnessed an upswing of 20 per cent in sales this winter season, amid intense cold wave conditions, traders said.
With northern region reeling under biting cold conditions, manufacturers as well as retailers have been able to clear their stocks in the wake of strong demand for woollen and hosiery items, they said.
"The hosiery industry here in Ludhiana has seen about 20 per cent growth over sales in last winter season because of prevailing cold wave," Ludhiana based Monte Carlo, Executive Director Sandeep Jain told PTI today.
Monte Carlo is an exclusive brand of Nahar Group owned Oswal Woollen Mills.

Northern region including Punjab and Haryana are reeling under intense cold wave conditions with minimum temperatures hovering notches below normal.
"This season has been very good for the hosiery sector of Ludhiana as the growing demand for woollen items led to clearing of the stocks of retailers who have earlier been fearing low demand," Duke Group Chairman Kamal Oswal said.

"With traders being able to sell their stock, now they will be able to save enough cash to start with next summer season," he further said.
Launched in 1966, Ludhiana based Duke is a premium lifestyle apparel brand, offering full ranges of clothing for men, women, and children.

Industry analysts said manufacturers were earlier worried over the low offtake of hosiery products because of possible short winter duration.
"During initial period of the season, the demand for hosiery items did not take off which also affected state government's revenue," Ludhiana Hosiery Association President Navin Sood said.
"However, cold wave which was a bit late this year helped the industry to meet extra demand generated for hosiery items," Sood said.
A few hosiery traders said that some of the manufacturers even extended their production schedule so as to cater to sudden increase in demand for woollen items.
The demand for winter garments like jackets, sweaters, thermals, originates from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Ludhiana is one of the oldest hosiery clusters in the country and is famous for winter garments like jackets, sweaters, thermals, pullovers, inners, shawls etc.