Russian fashion market ready for India
Russia's apparel market is growing steadily, with shoppers gravitating towards durable materials, everyday essentials, and culturally expressive pieces. At the same time, foreign brands are entering the market primarily through online channels, which lowers the barrier for newcomers. For Indian manufacturers, this combination offers a rare chance to scale their presence—provided they understand the structure of local demand and tailor their offering accordingly.
Demand and consumer trends in Russia's apparel market
Russia's apparel market is showing moderate growth. In 2025, the market stands at RUB 4.4 trillion, up 8% year-on-year. Consumer demand is shifting towards higher price point items and conscious consumption: garments need to be durable and made from quality materials.
'Feel-good' purchases remain strong
Recent research shows that Russian shoppers' emotional connection is increasingly tied to product categories rather than brands. Clothing and footwear purchases are a mood booster for 57% of women. This means new suppliers face relatively low barriers to entry, and quality products with appealing design are often sufficient to gain traction.
Meanwhile, sales formats are evolving: in 2024, 85% of new foreign brands entered the Russian market through online channels; in 2025, this figure already reached 94%. The decline in shopping centre footfall, which began after 2019, has now become a long-term trend.
See more on Consumer trends in Russia in 2025
Opportunities for Indian manufacturers
In 2024, apparel and footwear imports from India to Russia grew 1.6-fold. Russian retail buyers are keen to expand cooperation with Indian garment manufacturers.
"Based on the trends evident at the INTERFABRIC exhibition, we're seeing a growing demand for ethnic throws, cushions, and shawls—particularly in the slow fashion segment. In this segment, you can outpace Turkey by offering not just a product, but a cultural narrative," observes Andrey Razbrodin, President of the Russian Union of Textile and Apparel Industry Entrepreneurs. Stanislav Bogdanov, Chair of the ACORT Presidium (Association of Retail Trade Companies), adds that in the mass market for textiles and fashion-adjacent categories, Russian retailers are showing interest in cotton, knitwear, and everyday basics.
Demand in Russia is diverse and encompasses several segments where India can compete successfully against other countries. Andrey Razbrodin recommends focusing on the following areas:
Segment | Expert insight |
|---|---|
Mass-market apparel (fast fashion) | The accessible fashion segment now accounts for 72% of the market and is growing at an average of 10.7% annually. |
Workwear and uniforms | The garment industry faces labour shortages. Suppliers offering certifications for fire resistance, durability, and hypoallergenic properties will have a competitive edge. |
Jeans and denim | Before 2022, China accounted for 70% of supplies. Indian manufacturers with expertise in denim fabrics, elastane blends, and quality dyeing can secure 20–30% of the market. |
Ethnic style (traditional Indian garments)
| Demand is supported by the current trend towards ethnic motifs. This category is gradually attracting premium-segment buyers. |
Sportswear and activewear
| This market is growing at 12–15% per annum. Full-service solutions are in demand: from fabric to finished garments with branding and packaging, as well as collaborations with local sports brands. |
Home textiles
| India can offer high-quality, competitively priced alternatives to Chinese goods. |
Another opportunity lies in contract manufacturing for Russian brands. Retailers are increasingly outsourcing production to Southeast Asia. "Experts consider India the most promising destination for orders from Russian companies and view it as an alternative to China and other Asian countries, thanks to its combination of quality and favourable pricing. Russian companies primarily commission the production of cotton garments in India, including womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, and homewear. India is also increasingly chosen for denim manufacturing. The country excels in more complex areas as well, such as handcrafted items and garments with intricate decoration and embroidery," says Tatiana Belkevich, President of the Russian Association of Fashion Industry Participants (RAFI).
Examples and case studies
Following the departure of certain Western brands, Indian companies have begun filling the vacated niches. This is reflected in the figures: India's exports to Russia grew by 14.6% in the 2024/25 financial year, reaching USD 4.9 billion. This is largely due to Indian suppliers quickly stepping into the gaps left by their European competitors. Indian manufacturers have also begun participating in Russia's major industry exhibitions.
The textile cluster in Ivanovo Region is actively developing cooperation projects with India. Business meetings have discussed joint ventures, technology exchange, and the recruitment of up to 2,500 skilled workers for local factories.
Arvind Ltd., one of India's largest fabric and garment exporters, has announced a restructuring of its supply chains due to restrictions in the US and plans to strengthen its presence in alternative markets, including Russia.
Things to consider when entering the Russian market
Logistics. Russia is a large and geographically diverse market, so routes should be selected based on region and sales channels. Sea freight is suitable for western and southern destinations, land transport works for central Russia, whilst air freight is appropriate for urgent or small shipments. More details can be found here: How goods transport works.
Certification. Products must comply with EAEU standards. Declarations or certificates are required, while technical documentation and labelling must be translated into Russian (or, where necessary, into the language of another EAEU country).
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Payments. It is essential to establish a reliable mutual payment arrangement in advance, ensuring predictable transfers and convenient currency conversion. Sber's expertise and tools can help configure an optimal model suited to your supply format.
Partnerships and preparation. "To integrate into the Russian market, Indian manufacturers should partner with organisations that have ties to the Russian government and business community—industry associations, for example. Only then can they efficiently navigate certification processes, participate in government procurement, access preferential logistics corridors, and have their voices heard at the regulatory level," advises Andrey Razbrodin. He also adds that Russian retailers and wholesalers prefer to work with those who have a local representative office, logistics hub, or at least guaranteed on-the-ground support.
Market testing. It is advisable to begin with a pilot batch. A trial shipment allows you to gauge demand, test logistics, and assess counterparty interactions. Once the results have been analysed, you can scale up deliveries.
Market entry essentials: India–Russia export checklist