In India, the connotation of branding is changing. From eggs to fishes to confectionery they are all being packaged as brands.

In clothing too, brands hitting the market is increasing by the day. The ready-made apparels market probably has the maximum.

Sadly though, these brands are restricted to the menswear segment only. Branded apparel for women is insignificant. In fact, it can safely be assumed that the industry does not cater to women at all.

The Indian manufacturers have launched a range of branded sarees but, they have not succeeded in creating an overall range for the fairer sex.

But one is definitely worried about exports. Both the realisation as well the growth rate for ready-made garment exports have slumped.

Post 2004, WTO-induced competition will intensify in both the domestic and export markets.

Today, the grass is greener on the other side, for both the exporter as well as the seller catering to the domestic market. In future, the decks will be burning on both sides.

Most importantly, whatever India was talking in terms of labour cost advantages will go for a toss due to changes in technology.

Already higher wastages because of inferior quality at the spinning stage are costing the industry dear.

Now, the changes brought on due to the Internet and what it could do to supply chains is something unimaginable. In all these, the Indian manufacturers stand a very low chance in taking the competition head on.

Foreign manufacturers will be fighting it out both in the export and domestic markets. The low side would be that, without financial muscle, Indians stand little chance to maintain their marketshare.

Lack of consolidation in this unorganised sector could wipe out the domestic industry.

Big companies like Arvind might end up giving a financial stake to the foreigners or landing a marketing tie-up with some big outsider.