School uniforms industry suffers Rs 30 Cr loss because of lockdown

Aurangabad, May 26:

The school uniform industry has suffered a business loss of Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore because of lockdown. It may be noted that schools were shut down during the last academic year because of lockdown implemented to contain the spread of the pandemic virus. There is less possibility of schools reopening this year in the city because of the present second wave. The possible third wave will affect more children as per the health experts prediction. So, there will be more stress on online education.

There are 15 distributors of school uniform in the city. Clothe is purchased from Bhilwara in Rajasthan and Bhiwandi district in the State for the uniform. There are 450 units in Solapur that supply readymade uniforms to the State. The local distributors start booking their orders in January-February for the new academic year.

The school management informs the distributors of any change in uniform. The distributions start preparations as per changes in uniforms.

The city distributed brought uniforms worth Rs 15 in February 2020. They could not sell the uniforms because of lockdown and online education. The actual classes of 9th and 10th commenced in December-January but were halted after few weeks due to the outbreak of the second wave.

Considering the last year’s experience, the distributors did not dare to book orders for new uniforms and took the stand of ‘wait and watch.

Romi Chhabda, one of the distributors, said that the uniform industry not just from the city but from the whole country was paralysed.

“Textiles mills in Bhilwara and Bhiwandi were shut down. Sewing units in Solapur, too, are closed.

The workers from sewing units are from Andhra Pradesh and they have gone to their native place. There is less possibility of schools reopening. This has affected uniform retailers financial condition. Around Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore turnover of the business was paralysed due to lockdown,” he added.