Overview

Kesaria Textile Company, through its founder Ritesh Modi, issued a press‑release on 17 September 2026 presenting a 26‑point festive‑readiness guide for the Indian apparel sector ahead of Diwali 2026, which falls on 8 November. The guide addresses the impact of the additional lunar month that has shifted major festivals—Navratri (11 Oct), Dussehra (20 Oct), Dhanteras (6 Nov), Diwali (8 Nov) and Bhai Dooj (11 Nov)—later in the calendar, compressing the traditional retail selling window.

Timing and Planning Imperative

Modi stresses that preparation in August and September is critical; businesses waiting until October risk missing the condensed demand window. The guide urges manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to work backwards from the Diwali dates, finalising procurement schedules early and creating phased inventory plans.

Procurement and Inventory Recommendations

  • Early Procurement: Secure reorder commitments from suppliers well before the festive peak.
  • Phased Inventory: Develop separate inventory strategies for the post‑Diwali wedding season to avoid excess stock.
  • Structured Purchasing: Avoid exhausting the entire festive budget at the season’s start; maintain flexibility to replenish fast‑moving items.
  • Exit Strategy: Define clear plans for slow‑moving inventory to prevent carry‑over into the next season.

GST and Pricing Guidance

The guide highlights the revised GST structure, specifically the ₹2,500 price threshold for readymade garments, and notes recent GST rate reductions on man‑made fibres and yarns. Businesses are advised to reassess product costing in light of these changes and to maintain proper purchase documentation to protect input tax credit during the peak period.

Cash‑Flow Management

  • Weekly Projections: Prepare weekly cash‑flow forecasts throughout the festive window.
  • Retailer Credit Limits: Define credit limits for retailers before Navratri begins.
  • Return/Exchange Policies: Establish transparent policies in advance to minimise disputes during the busiest sales days.

Operational Readiness in Stores

  • Staffing: Hire and train seasonal staff by early September.
  • Trial‑Room Efficiency: Improve trial‑room turnaround times.
  • Billing Speed: Reduce billing time at point of sale.
  • Visual Merchandising: Refresh store displays throughout the festive calendar to align with shifting consumer preferences from Navratri through Diwali.

Digital Commerce Enhancements

Modi recommends strengthening digital channels, including:

  • WhatsApp Presence: Use WhatsApp for customer engagement and order handling.
  • Google Business Profiles: Keep profiles updated for local search visibility.
  • Regional‑Language Short‑Form Video: Create short videos in regional languages to capture Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 market demand.
  • Marketplace & E‑Commerce Calendars: Lock campaign calendars well in advance.
  • Sell‑Through Monitoring: Track weekly sell‑through rates to enable timely replenishment and pricing adjustments rather than post‑season reviews.

Strategic Outlook

The guide concludes that while the festive season is important, the decisions made in August‑September largely determine the year’s performance for apparel businesses. By the time Diwali arrives, the outcome is already shaped.

Disclaimer

The press release is provided under an arrangement with NRDPL; PTI assumes no editorial responsibility for its content.