For the Indian apparel industry, Diwali was not a fun affair as it used to be till last year. As per Apparel Resources, around 40 to 45 per cent factories of North India didn’t give any bonus or ‘considerable’ gift to their professionals, while many factories gave almost half amount compared to last year. Already facing major challenges like less business, high costing, the apparel industry witnessed a major cost-cutting this year be it giving gifts to their staff, bonus or even celebrations at the factory/office premises.

Many companies did not give gift to their employees or workers. The mid-level staff of the export houses was impacted more by this. A few export houses managed to give bonus not only to workers but also mid-level professionals. The amount or ratio was different from company to company while many factories gave half amount to their professionals compared to what they used to get previously.

Market sentiments too were quite low this time as everyone from the raw material suppliers to job workers did not exchange gifts unlike the past years.

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been roped in as the new brand ambassador of the British Fashion Council (BFC) for their ‘Positive Change’ initiative. Also a global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she’ll join the BFC to support its efforts to lead the charge on change, using fashion as a positive platform to inspire future generations.

This will include promoting best practices within the fashion industry and celebrating those that adhere to inclusive and ethical principles. Chopra-Jonas will also act as a spokesperson for the importance of creative education. She will play an active role in a number of BFC events throughout the year, including London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards.

Through her new role, Chopra-Jonas looks forward to celebrating the incredible diversity and creativity of the industry, while working to champion budding and iconic designers doing their part to make an indelible impact on people and our planet.

Designer Anita Dongre has opened her first flagship store at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. The new three storey store is spread over 4,000 sq ft and houses sustainable luxury brand Grassroot, Anita Dongre bridal couture and menswear, Anita Dongre ready-to-wear, as well as Anita Dongre silver jewellery.

The first floor of the store, featuring walls awash in rich jewel tones, is dedicated to bridal wear. The last level is reserved for menswear plus accessories and gifting options like pocket squares, safas and kurta buttons made in diamonds and gemstones. The store, like other Anita Dongre flagships, will also offer services for customisations and bespoke wear. Each floor also has elephant-inspired wall coverings, which are custom printed fabrics.

Anita Dongre runs flagship stores for her eponymous brand across India and in New York, US The designer launched her eponymous brand in 1995 and has since launched a range of subsidiary brands including And, Grassroot, and Global Desi.

As per a report by Payoneer, Indian e-commerce sector ranks on the 9th position globally in cross border growth.

The sector saw a massive growth in recent times as more Indians shopped online rather than venturing outside, says Economic Times. The sector also attracted huge investments from global players such as Facebook investing in Reliance Jio. Google announced its first investment in Mukesh Ambani-owned Jio Platforms, joining Facebook, etc. The deal was followed by Reliance Retail buying out Future group to increase the Ambani group’s presence in e-commerce space.

According to the report, as the world moved to full or partial lockdown, online shopping cemented into a new reality. The year 2020 has seen a decade of growth within just a few months with China topping the charts followed by the US, Hong Kong, South Korea, UK, Ukraine and Vietnam. India on the ninth position is followed by Japan which emerges on the tenth position.

In a recent media interview with exchange4media.com, Charan Narsimhan, Managing Director, Indian Terrain has said, he expects the retail industry to improve slowly and with the festive season, sales are expected to increase to a good extent. Even though footfalls in stores has been low, there is reasonable demand and conversions in with the unlocking.

With Work From Home being the new normal and online classes, preference for T-shirts, shorts, joggers and ringer t-shirts has increased. Indian Terrain launched the Marvel and Winter collection in the kids and boys segment this festive season. It is also running several offers and discounts in stores and online.

Indian Terrain is currently focusing on small town India with the launch of 20 new retail stores in Tier II and III markets in FY 20-21. It has also re-launched its website with enhanced user interface and omni-channel experience order fulfillment being implemented from stores.

The brand has also introduced multiple consumer-centric initiatives for seamless engagement digitally. It has launched a “Store to Door” service whereby a curated virtual catalogue is sent to the customer via WhatsApp and product is delivered at the customer’s doorstep.

The second quarter net loss of Arvind Fashions widened to Rs 217.79 crore as the impact of the pandemic persists, says an Economic Times report.

The revenues of the casual wear and denim player dropped by 56 per cent during the quarter to Rs 463.81 crore. A year ago, it had sales of Rs 1055.87 crore with net loss of Rs 45.57 crore.

In a stock exchange filing, the retailer of brands such as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and US Polo Assn, said revenue more than trebled over the first quarter, led by gradual opening of stores along with improving footfalls across stores and continuing progress in the ecommerce channel. The company reached 50 per cent of sales level in September compared to a year ago, which rose to 75 per cent in October.

In July, Walmart-owned Flipkart had picked up about 27 per cent stake in AFL’s newly formed subsidiary Arvind Youth Brands which owns denim label Flying Machine. In the ongoing fiscal, AFL discontinued retail operations for brands Gap, Ruf & Tuf, NewPort, The Children’s Place and Hanes.

Amazon is planning to acquire 100 per cent stake in Future Retail by investing 1,431 crore in it. As per reports, Amazon's investment exposure is limited to Rs 1,431 crores in Future Corporation alone as Future Group's total assets are worth in excess of Rs 30,000 crore plus. The Future Group employs around 50,000 employees. Banks and financial institutions have an exposure in excess of Rs 18,000 crore towards unpaid debts from Future Group's account(s). Suppliers and vendors will also have an exposure in excess of Rs 7,500 crore towards unpaid bills from Future Group's account(s).

Even prior to the lockdown, owing to COVID 19, physical retail of Future Group business suffered losses owing to lesser sales/revenues. After the commencement of lockdown in March-2020, the situation became worse. This resulted in Future Group defaulting in payment of approximately Rs 10,000 crore plus to financial institutions and lenders, vendors and suppliers, and to landlords in respect of unpaid borrowings, bills and lease rentals respectively.

In addition, there was reduction and delay in payment of salaries and incentives to the employees. This crisis is exponentially increasing by the day, and it continues, as at date, and consequential deterioration of significant value of Future Group's assets.

Bani Pasricha showcased her collection ‘The Pharaohs’ with a digital fashion film at the India Fashion Week London. The fashion film was set on a luxurious, ancient Egypt themed backdrop and models wore opulent headdresses resembling Egyptian queens of old.

Published on YouTube, the showcase featured models wearing champagne Dutch and hammered satin gowns, cocktail dresses, and suits embellished with green crystals. Draping, geometric patterns, and power suits also made an appearance. The show culminated in a model wearing an ancient Egyptian inspired lehenga with a heavily embellished neckpiece that resembled jewellery worn by ancient Egyptian monarchs.

The show was executed by Fashmob and show director Lokesh Sharma. Bee Enterprises handled communications and the show was organised by organised by Platinum Group.

The fashion event was originally scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2020 at Novotel London West, UK,. Due to the ongoing UK lockdown, events and non-essential shops and remain closed for the month.

As per Fashion Network, E-commerce giant Amazon India plans to lease new office space in Vikhroli, Mumbai and has signed an agreement with Godrej Group’s Godrej Fund Management for the same.

As per this agreement, Amazon India will lease close to 2.6 lakh square feet of office space in commercial office building Godrej Two. The agreement includes a lease and a option to lease additional space within the building at a later date.

Amazon India already occupies around 40,000 square feet of office space in adjoining building Godrej One. Both buildings are part of mixed-use development project ‘The Trees’.

Amazon is continuing to scale up its presence in India and launched a new fulfillment center in West Bengal last month. In September, the business took steps to expand its infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and opened two fulfillment centers in Telangana.