Key Points
- Mukesh Ambani partners with Shein to produce Made in India clothing.
- Plans to increase Indian factories from 150 to over 1,000 for Shein brand production.
- Shein re-entered India in 2024 via a licensing deal with Reliance after being banned in 2020.
- Focus on global sales in US and UK markets with Made in India products.
- Reliance manages production, supply chain, and operations for Shein in India.
- Initiative aims to create a strong supplier network in India for domestic and international markets.
New Delhi: India’s top industrialist Mukesh Ambani has entered into a landmark partnership with Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein to manufacture and export Made in India clothing on a global scale. This collaboration is set to transform India’s apparel manufacturing sector, with plans to dramatically ramp up the number of Indian factories producing for the Shein brand.
Scaling Up Indian Manufacturing
Currently, 150 Indian factories are part of the Shein supply chain, but Reliance and Shein have begun talks with hundreds more, aiming to expand this network to over 1,000 factories in the near future. This expansion is designed to strengthen India’s role as a major global apparel hub, creating new opportunities for Indian manufacturers and workers.
Shein’s Return to India and Global Ambitions
Shein originally entered India in 2008 but was banned in 2020 due to geopolitical tensions. The brand made a comeback in February 2024 through a licensing agreement with Reliance Industries. Under this deal, Reliance now oversees Shein’s production, supply chain, and operations in India, and locally made Shein clothing is already available on SheinIndia.in.
Targeting International Markets
The partnership’s next big move is to export Made in India Shein clothes to major global markets, starting with the United States and the United Kingdom. This strategy not only helps Shein diversify its manufacturing base amid global tariff uncertainties but also positions Indian-made products on the world stage.
Strategic Collaboration and Government Support
Reliance executives have recently visited China to study Shein’s digital marketing and design models, ensuring the Indian operations are globally competitive. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted in Parliament that this initiative is about building a robust supplier network in India, serving both domestic and international customers.
