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NEW DELHI: As hundreds of the US and European garment stores have put the shutters down and several of them have gone bankrupt, many Indian exporters are forced to scale down their businesses by laying off workers. “Many Indian exporters have closed the ir garment manufacturing units. A leading exporter in Mumbai has temporarily shut down two factories and laid off 2,000 workers,'' said Mr Vimal Kirti Singh, Secretary General, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).

Textile, including apparel is the second largest employment generator sector in India after agriculture. It said Pacific Sunwear has closed 150 stores while Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherines are shutting a total of 150 outlets. Besides, Foot Lock er is winding up 140 stores and Ann Taylor is closing 117 outlets. Those scaling down their operations include some of the big names in the garments retailing. These include Eddie Bauer, Cache, Talbots, J Jill, Gap Inc, Foot Locker, Goodbye Levitz, Home Depot, Macy's, Pep Boys, J C Penney, Lowe and Office Depot, AEPC added.

Exports of readymade garments from India tumbled by 6.59 per cent in September over the same period last year as a direct consequence of the global economic slowdown, Singh added. - PTI

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