New Delhi, April 4 -- The swimwear market is being transformed as fitness and geopolitical shifts in travel have diverted millions of vacationers to pools and beaches in India. The sector, which nearly doubled to Rs.8.5 billion over the last five years, is shedding its seasonal reputation as more people use it as a year-round low-impact cardio exercise.

This surge is bringing a wave of direct-to-consumer (D2C) firms, challenging Speedo's decade-long dominance. Brands like Cava Athleisure and Cuckoo Swimwear are targeting the gaps-specifically, young consumers' demand for trend-driven, comfortable designs-that legacy performance brands have overlooked.

This shift in interest comes as a 'geopolitical uptick' is bringing travel closer to h...