“Why European Retailers Are Shifting Apparel Sourcing from China to India in 2026”
European retailers are accelerating their shift from China to India in 2026 — driven by tariff uncertainty, rising labour costs, and the increasing need for transparent, compliant supply chains. As sourcing teams across the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia look to de-risk their vendor matrices, India has emerged as the most stable and cost-efficient alternative. With competitive pricing, reliable lead times, vertically integrated clusters like Tirupur, and strong sustainability credentials, India now matches or outperforms China in several key apparel categories. For many brands, India isn’t just a China+1 option anymore — it’s becoming the primary sourcing base.