India Retail News

With a direct employment of 2, 50,000 (with 50% of them being women) and an export earnings of $14 billion, leather industry is a significant driver of economic growth. The Indian leather industry enjoys abundant availability of raw materials, availability of low cost skilled labour and availability of supporting institutions. More than 4000 units are engaged in manufacturing, of which 95% are SME. India's share in the global footwear imports is around 1.4% and future growth is expected from the SME's venturing into value added products. Major competitors in the export markets for leather footwear are China (14%), Spain (6%), and Italy (21%). Fifty five percent of India's leather export comes from US and UK, and Dubai in recent years had emerged as a trading destination to Africa and other markets.