Chinnalapatti's economy mainly depends on handloom weaving industry.
Handloom weaving is chinalapatti's largest and oldest industry.
Weaving has been a way of life in Chinalapatti since time immemorial.
Now people are producing Cotton (sungudi) saris with Zari borders, these are ideal for daily wear.
Sungudi saree industry contains looming, weaving, dyeing and printing units. Sungudi industry is providing livelihood for nearly 5,000 people in chinnalapatti.
In recent years Chinnalapatti is producing young engineers who ensure a good cash flow in to this town.
Even though weaving is a significant profession of the town till this date, many had shifted to textile bussiness instead of production.
Purchase is done at Surat or other industrial areas of India and sold with considerable profit.
This made some of the weaver turned business men richer while those who remained weavers suffer a great loss.