Riva del Garda, Italy: The session “India Calling: New Routes for Global Business” emerged as one of the key knowledge-sharing platforms at GardaBags, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, trade experts and international stakeholders to explore the immense opportunities unfolding in the Indian footwear, leather, fashion and retail sectors. The session commenced with a welcome address by Mauro Di Molfetta, Project Manager, GardaBags, Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, and Giovanna Voltolini, Group Exhibition Manager, who highlighted the growing economic and trade ties between India and Europe and the importance of fostering stronger business collaborations.
The discussion was moderated by Amit Chopra, Managing Director, Shoes & Accessories, who set the tone by emphasizing India’s rapidly expanding market potential.
“In business, there are two kinds of markets—the ones you study and the ones you simply cannot afford to ignore. India belongs firmly in the second category,” Amit Chopra
Highlighting India’s scale, he noted that the country’s footwear market is currently valued at approximately USD 18 billion, making it nearly six times larger than Portugal’s market and twice the size of Spain’s. India today produces and consumes more than 2.5 billion pairs of footwear annually, making it one of the world’s largest footwear economies.
“But the real story isn’t today’s number—it’s tomorrow’s. India is on course to become a USD 35 billion footwear market by the next decade. With a population of 1.4 billion and a young consumer base, the market is still only warming up,” Amit Chopra
Addressing the audience, Atul Mishra, Regional Director, Council for Leather Exports (CLE), New Delhi, shared insights into India’s strengths in leather manufacturing, exports, craftsmanship, and supply chain capabilities. He outlined how India’s leather and footwear ecosystem continues to gain global recognition through quality manufacturing, sustainability initiatives, and growing export competitiveness.
Ramesh Kumar Juneja, Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), India, outlined the Council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the global presence of India’s leather, footwear, and allied products industries. He highlighted a range of initiatives aimed at promoting Indian manufacturers in key international markets, including participation in global trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, market development programs, and strategic collaborations with international industry stakeholders.
Emphasizing India’s growing reputation as a reliable and competitive sourcing destination, Mr. Juneja noted the country’s strengths in manufacturing capabilities, skilled workforce, product quality, sustainability initiatives, and supply chain resilience. He also spoke about the Council’s commitment to supporting exporters through policy advocacy, capacity-building programs, and market intelligence. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of attracting greater international participation and investment into the sector, positioning India as a preferred partner for global brands seeking diversified and dependable sourcing solutions. He expressed confidence that continued collaboration between industry, government, and international stakeholders would further enhance India’s competitiveness and create new opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term partnerships in the global leather and footwear industry.
Atul Chauhan, Consul and Commercial Representative, Consulate General of India in Milan, provided valuable insights into India’s economic reforms, ease-of-doing-business initiatives, and policy measures designed to strengthen India’s global competitiveness. He highlighted the active support being extended by the Government of India to facilitate international partnerships, investments, and trade collaborations.
A key presentation was delivered by Dr. Cheshta Kapuria, Manager and Sector Investment Specialist, Leather & Footwear Team, Invest India, who showcased India’s emergence as a major luxury consumption market. According to Invest India, India’s luxury market is projected to grow by more than 55 percent by 2027, reaching an estimated value of USD 12 billion. She noted that the number of millionaires in India has risen dramatically—from approximately 37,000 in 2000 to a projected 1.4 million by 2027—while monthly per-capita consumption has quadrupled over the same period.
Dr. Kapuria also highlighted the rapid expansion of luxury retail infrastructure through destinations such as Jio World Plaza and Galeries Lafayette, signaling India’s shift from occasional luxury purchases toward repeat, lifestyle-driven consumption. She further underlined India’s importance as a manufacturing hub, producing nearly 13 percent of the world’s leather output. Returning to the broader business landscape, Amit Chopra highlighted India’s accelerating manufacturing momentum.
“Five major Taiwanese footwear manufacturers have each committed investments of approximately USD 200 million in India. When investors begin writing cheques of that size, they usually know something. That’s not optimism—that’s conviction.”
He also pointed to India’s expanding trade architecture, noting that the country now has trade agreements with 38 countries, while the much-anticipated India–European Union Free Trade Agreement is expected to significantly reshape business opportunities in the coming years. “For brands and manufacturers, this changes the equation dramatically. The opportunities extend far beyond manufacturing—they encompass sourcing, retail, distribution, design, technology, and long-term partnerships.”
Discussing consumer trends, Chopra highlighted the rapid transformation taking place across India.
“The growth story is no longer limited to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are shopping like Tier-1 markets—and in many categories, they’re growing even faster. Cafés are full, airports are crowded, premium malls are expanding, and consumers are increasingly embracing global brands and premium products.” Dipika Chopra
The session concluded with closing remarks by Dipika Chopra, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Shoes & Accessories, who delivered a compelling message on India’s retail and consumer landscape.
“India is where the action is. India has the buying power, the consumption, and the aspiration. We have a young population with rising incomes, digitally connected consumers who are not simply buying products—they are buying brands, stories, and experiences.” Dipika Chopra
She pointed to the increasing entry of international brands into India, including COS, Bershka, and Italian accessories brand Carpisa, which has announced plans to establish 100 stores across India. “Indian consumers are deeply connected to global trends, creating tremendous opportunities for international businesses. Initiatives such as the India–EU Free Trade Agreement will further unlock collaboration, trade and growth opportunities between our markets.” Concluding the session, she left the audience with a clear message:
“India is no longer the next big opportunity. India is the opportunity already in motion. The question is not whether businesses should look at India—it is how quickly they can enter, invest, partner, and scale. India is calling. Don’t miss the opportunity.” Dipika Chopra
The session received an enthusiastic response from international attendees, reinforcing India’s growing importance as a strategic destination for sourcing, manufacturing, retail expansion, investment, and global business partnerships.
