India’s luggage market to touch Rs 267 bn by 2028, branded segment to outperform: Motilal Oswal

NEW DELHI: The Indian luggage industry is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 12 per cent to reach Rs 267 billion by Calendar Year (CY) 2028, up from an estimated Rs 170 billion in CY24, according to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

The report added that the sector, which had shrunk to Rs 60 billion in CY20 due to the pandemic, has staged a remarkable recovery with a 37 per cent CAGR between CY20 and CY23.

“India’s travel landscape has transformed dramatically post-pandemic,” the report added.

“Simultaneously, steady increases in air and rail passenger traffic strongly correlate with rising luggage industry revenues. Premiumization is accelerating as consumers shift towards branded, stylish, and durable luggage over basic utility products,” the report further added.

The report noted that weddings have significantly increased luggage demand in India, driven by gift-giving customs, trousseau packing, and the growing trend of destination weddings. The market witnessed peak demand during Nov-Dec’24, with over 4.8m weddings during this period alone.

“Combined with other travel drivers, weddings form a crucial part of recurring luggage demand, especially among young urban consumers with rising disposable incomes,” the report added.

The Motilal Oswal report stated that the branded players, who currently hold a 52 per cent market share, are expected to grow faster than the overall industry, driven by rising disposable incomes, increasing urbanisation, and a resurgence in both domestic and international travel.

The shift from unbranded to branded products continues to accelerate, supported by product innovation, premiumization, and rapid expansion of e-commerce channels, the report added.

The report highlights that brands such as VIP, Samsonite, and Safari collectively command about 33 per cent of the market, with strong positions across segments.

The mass market (priced below Rs 4,000) forms the largest chunk, at approximately 60 per cent (Rs 102 billion), led by Safari (16 per cent), Aristocrat, and Kamiliant (30 per cent combined). These brands focus on affordability, first-time adoption, and wide distribution.

The mid-priced segment, accounting for 30 per cent of the market, features VIP (21 per cent via VIP and Skybags) and American Tourister (17 per cent), both capitalising on brand recall, curated product offerings, and omnichannel strategies to attract value-conscious urban consumers.

The premium segment (around 10 per cent) is evolving rapidly, with legacy players like Samsonite (20 per cent) and Carlton (8 per cent) maintaining dominance in business and international travel.

The report added that digital-first D2C brands are disrupting the space with minimalist designs, influencer-driven storytelling, and strong appeal among Gen Z and millennial consumers in metros. (ANI)