Raymond Lifestyle
expects Europe to account for roughly a quarter of its exports
in two years as the Indian apparel maker expands in the region
to reduce reliance on the United States amid shifting trade
policies, CEO Satyaki Ghosh said.
The plan comes as Indian garment exporters reassess their
dependence on the US market after tariff-related disruptions
and position for higher demand following India’s trade deals
with Britain and Europe.
The United States is India’s biggest textile and apparel
export market, accounting for just over a quarter of the
country’s total exports.
Before US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the US
accounted for 65 per cent of Raymond’s total exports, compared with 17 per cent
for Europe. Ghosh expects the US share to decline to 55 per cent – 60 per cent,
while Europe’s rises to 20 per cent – 25 per cent in two years.
“Europe will grow faster for us,” Ghosh told Reuters, adding
Raymond’s recent meetings with new customers in Europe were
starting to bear fruit and, together with the trade deals, could
provide a “double boom” to the business.
European inquiries have risen by double digits following the
trade deal announcements, Ghosh said, with about 30 per cent converting
into orders — especially from the United Kingdom — and more in
the pipeline.
Raymond, which owns brands such as Park Avenue and ColorPlus
and counts clients including JCPenney and Charles Tyrwhitt, has
already added fresh customers in Poland, Germany and France, the
CEO said.
Exports made up a fifth of its revenue in fiscal 2026.
India’s total textile and apparel exports to European
countries among its 10 largest markets rose 9 per cent to ₹69,445 crore
($7.29 billion) in 2025-26, the first fiscal year after
Trump’s announcements of “reciprocal tariffs”, while exports to
the United States fell 7 per cent, government data showed.
To meet rising orders from Europe, Raymond is stepping up
production at its Ethiopia plant, with its Andhra Pradesh plant
in southern India set to more than triple production lines to 10
over the next two years.
($1 = 95.3000 Indian rupees)
Published on August 11, 2026
