8 May, Mumbai 2025

Footwear label Stelatoes has strengthened its retail footprint across North India, opening a new street-level store in Faridabad. Offering a wide collection, including women's sandals and juttis, along with men's and kids' shoes, the store launch signifies the brand's ongoing expansion in the region, adding to its existing stores in cities like Delhi NCR, Dehradun, Lucknow, Kanpur, Indore, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Patiala, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Rudrapur. 

The store offers a large variety of footwear for men, women, and children, featuring international brands such as Pierre Cardin, ID, Lee-Cooper, Lafattio, Abros, and Campus. Stelatoes also debuted its own in-house men's shoe brand, Esle, which offers both regular and premium lines.

Focusing on affordable prices, comfort, and on-trend styles, Stelatoes aims to provide a complete footwear shopping experience for the whole family. Sanjay Arora and Sachin Arora, Founders aim to grow the brand into a major contender in India's footwear market.

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Expanding its physical retail presence in the Indian fashion market, fashion label Nirmooha by Prreeti Jaiin Nainutia has opened its first flagship store in Fort, Mumbai. Launched after the brand’s participation in Paris Fashion Week 2025, the new store opening marks a significant retail milestone for the homegrown label.

Offering a selection of prêt and couture collections for both womenswear and menswear, the store helps the label strengthen its retail footprint in a key commercial district known for its historic significance and proximity to high-traffic urban consumers.

Nirmooha’s product line includes draped co-ords, structured sets, and updated interpretations of Indianwear. The brand has also introduced menswear offerings, featuring casual shirts and occasion wear designed for contemporary buyers.

The store features pieces from its Paris Fashion Week 2025 collection titled Shree, which includes sculpted garments with gold detailing in a palette of jewel tones and neutrals.

The interior design of the flagship store reflects the brand’s aesthetic, featuring a concept called ‘The Tale of Two Arches,’ which contrasts traditional forms with modern design cues. Architectural elements include tall arched windows, a double-height ceiling, S-shaped curves, and metal mesh chandeliers. These design components mirror the signature cording used in the brand’s clothing.

Prreeti Jaiin Nainutia, Founder and Creative Designer of Nirmooha says, every element in the store, from the interiors to the detailing, reflects the brand’s story and signature style. The brand’s collections are for the contemporary individual - modern in spirit, yet grounded in tradition and a strong sense of self.

The store marks an important step in the brand’s offline expansion and aims to deliver a retail experience that aligns with its creative identity and operational strategy.

Expanding its activewear collection, footwear company Bata India has launched the Power Move+ range, targeting consumers who integrate physical activity into their daily routines. Emphasizing comfort, breathability, and lightweight design, the collection offers footwear suitable for both casual workouts and everyday wear.

Launched across over 1,900 Bata stores and online through the company's direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform in India, the Power Move+ collection is designed to meet the needs of consumers looking for affordable activewear footwear that supports their active, on-the-go lifestyles.

The Power Move+ range features three main designs. The Neo Slip, priced at Rs 1,699 (approximately $22.65), boasts a breathable flyknit upper and is designed for those seeking lightweight, slip-on convenience. The Move+ Lace-Up, retailing at Rs 1,999 (approximately $26.65), combines a chunky EVA Phylon sole with a flyknit upper and a TPR outsole for enhanced durability and traction. The Move+ P-Opall, also priced at Rs 1,999 (approximately $26.65), features a mesh upper with digital print detailing, a Lycra collar for flexibility, and an Ortholite insole for added comfort.

Each pair of Power Move+ collection is engineered to provide fatigue-reducing insoles, arch support, and materials suitable for extended wear. The collection aligns with Bata India’s strategy of blending performance features with affordability, catering to the growing demand for activewear and accessories within the Indian market.

8 May, Mumbai 2025

A direct-to-consumer (D2C) activewear brand focused on women, BlissClub has raised Rs 33 crore (equivalent to approximately US$ $4 million) in a funding round led by existing investor Elevation Capital.

The round also included participation from Eight Roads Ventures.

According to filings with the business intelligence platform Tofler, the company's board approved the issuance of 16,076 compulsory convertible preference shares at a premium of Rs 20,427 per share.

According to the company, the funds will be used to meet working capital needs, capital expenditures, and other general corporate purposes.

Founded in 2020, the Bengaluru-based startup, BlissClub initially started by selling its activewear products online. It later expanded into opening physical retail stores as it competes with fast fashion brands. The company sells through its own website as well as on e-commerce platforms.

BlissClub generated Rs 92 crore (Rs 920 million) in revenue for the FY ended March 31, 2024, according to Tracxn data. BlissClub has not yet filed its financial statements for FY25 with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

The company last raised $15 million in 2022 in a funding round led by Eight Roads Ventures and Elevation Capital.

In December last year, lifestyle activewear brand Terractive had raised Rs 8 crore (₹80 million) in a funding round led by Fireside Ventures and DeVC (anchored by Z47), reports Economic Times.

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The ongoing expansion of its Zudio stores and slower same-store sales growth (SSSG) led to Trent’s net profit declining to its steepest during Q4, FY25.

During the quarter, the company’s profit margins contracted due to rising discounts and the growing contribution of the lower-margin Zudio business to overall revenue. Despite this, it continued to add stores at a robust pace. The concentration of Zudio store openings towards the end of the fiscal year is expected to fuel revenue growth in the upcoming quarters.

In future, Trent plans to focus on new product lines, including lab-grown diamonds and beauty products, which could boost the top line. Analysts forecast an annual growth of 25–26 per cent in the company’s revenue and net profit from FY25 through FY27.

Trent's revenue increased by 29 per cent Y-o-Y but declined by 10 per cent in Q4, FY25 compared to the previous quarter, indicating a slowdown after the holiday season. The company’s net profit declined by 47 per cent Y-o-Y in Q4, FY25 and by 26 per cent from the previous quarter as the company continued its aggressive store expansion.

During the quarter, the company launched 13 Westside and 40 Zudio stores. Effective cost management helped reduce rent expenses by 20 per cent Y-o-Y. Analysts noted, despite some pressure on gross margins due to Zudio's lower price points, the company’s operating margin before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA margin) is expected to stay stable at 16–17 per cent, supported by cost controls.

For FY25, Trent’s revenue and net profit rose by 40 per cent and 10 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 16,668 crore and Rs 1,584.8 crore, respectively. The lower profit growth was due to a higher baseline last year, which included a one-time gain of Rs 576 crore from reassessing lease estimates.

Trent's expansion strategy focused on targeting Tier II and III cities. It established a presence in 64 new cities and towns, as per a report by Elara Securities. The brokerage firm anticipates Zudio’s store count to grow at a rate of 17 per cent annually while the store count for Westside is projected to grow by 8 per cent between FY25 and FY28. The combined retail footprint for Zudio and Westside stores grew by 40 per cent to 9.5 million sq ft in FY25. Online sales contributed 6 per cent to the company's revenue.

Trent's SSSG has gradually softened over the past two quarters, reflecting weaker demand. As per a report by the Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Trent's SSSG declined to a mid-single digit during the quarter from a high-single digit in the December 2024 quarter and double-digit growth in the September 2024 quarter.

In FY26, Trent’s growth is likely to be boosted by Zudio's store openings that were concentrated towards the end of the fiscal year.

The Q4, FY25 consolidated net profit of Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co declined by 82.6 per cent to Rs 11.54 crore (approx. $1.4 million) as against Rs 66.46 crore registered in the same quarter last year.

The company's total income also contracted by 12.42 per cent to Rs 395.47 crore during the quarter as against Rs 451.58 crore in the year-ago period. Its total expenses increased to Rs 382.78 crore.

For the full fiscal year FY25, Bombay Dyeing registered a 83.4 per cent decline in net profit to Rs 490.16 crore as against previous year’s exceptionally high figure of Rs 2,948.63 crore, which was boosted by the sale of land assets.

The company also recorded a 3.72 per cent decline in annual total income to Rs 1,732.34 crore during FY25.

8 May, Mumbai 2025

A brand under Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Alley Solly Girl has opened its first exclusive outlet in South India. Opened at the Phoenix Marketcity in Bengaluru, the store strengthens the mall’s reputation as a premier destination for trendy and family-friendly shopping options.

Offering a fresh and confident style for young girls aged 6 to 14 years, Alley Solly offers a wide selection of casual, party, and special occasion wear – all designed to meet the preferences and comfort of today's young fashion lovers. The brand is known for its bright color palette, fashion-forward designs, and soft, comfortable fabrics

The new store’s lively and modern layout creates an engaging shopping experience for both kids and parents. It offers a collection that has been carefully put together to include everyday essentials as well as outfits for special events, crafted with careful attention to design details.

With this exclusive launch, Phoenix Marketcity Bengaluru continues to host first-in-city brand openings and redefine the retail experience. The arrival of Allen Solly Girl further expands the mall's fashion choices, especially for families looking for stylish and age-appropriate clothing for children.

This launch also highlights the mall's ongoing commitment to providing new, exciting, and premium retail experiences for its increasing number of visitors. This latest opening demonstrates Phoenix Marketcity’s dedication to creating an inclusive and appealing shopping environment. Families, in particular, will benefit from a brand that understands the fashion needs of growing girls, combining style with comfort and practicality.

The opening of Allen Solly Girl not only enhances the mall’s diverse brand mix but also emphasizes its promise of delivering exceptional retail experiences.

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Homegrown Indian fashion brand Saku plans to open five additional stores across major Indian cities within the next 12 to 15 months. The brand also aims to scale its direct-to-consumer website while simultaneously expanding through strategic partnerships with leading online marketplaces.

Saku recently opened its second retail store in Gurugram. The store emphasizes on the brand’s mission to make premium, designer-inspired fashion more accessible and aspirational for everyday consumers. It showcases the brand’s complete range of womenswear, menswear, and kidswear all in one location.

Located in a prime shopping area of Gurugram, the new store is thoughtfully designed to embody the brand’s philosophy of ‘Nothing but Fine Living.’ Every aspect of the space, from its calm and immersive layout to its fabric-focused displays and attentive customer service, aims to provide a more personal and elevated shopping experience, offering a refreshing change from the typical fast-paced fashion retail environment.

This expansion comes at a time when Saku’s popularity across both its online and physical retail channels continues to grow. The brand continues to build a strong presence with its distinctive approach to fashion – one that blends designer aesthetics with affordability, allowing style-conscious Indian families to enjoy quality and creativity without having to compromise.

Sandeep Sampla, Co-founder & CEO, Saku, states, witnessing a strong traction in both its physical and digital channels, the brand targets a 45 per cent Y-o-Y growth with plans to expand its presence to over 10 cities in India.

As part of its grand opening, the Gurugram store also launches The Neela Collection - a seasonal womenswear capsule that offers a poetic interpretation of the color blue through clean silhouettes and subtle detailing. Alongside its flagship womenswear brand Saku, the store also features Stoik (menswear) and Picaasu (kidswear), positioning itself as a comprehensive, family-first fashion destination for the modern Indian household.

With this latest milestone, Saku strengthens its commitment to redefining Indian fashion through the overall shopping experience it provides.

8 May, Mumbai 2025

One of India’s most iconic menswear brands, Reid & Taylor has achieved an important milestone in its strategic retail resurgence. Strengthening its presence in the country, the brand has launched a new ready-to-wear exclusive store in Rajkot.

Located on Kalavad Road, this new store offers a meticulously designed comprehensive range of menswear, including formal and casual wear. The store’s curated collection features the finest fabrics, sharp cuts, and contemporary designs, catering to the modern, style-conscious man.

According to Subrata Siddhanta, CEO – Apparel & Retail, Reid & Taylor, the launch of this store in Rajkot is a significant step towards the brand’s larger goal of opening 40 stores across India by the end of 2025. This store represents the label’s commitment to deliver premium menswear to its discerning customers, blending classic craftsmanship with modern style.

Strengthening the brand’s position as a leader in premium menswear, the Rajkot store conforms to Reid & Taylor’s broader vision of reinforcing its retail footprint across key markets. The brand remains a preferred choice for men seeking unparalleled style and elegance with its rich heritage and reputation for exceptional quality.

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Maharashtra-based authenticated luxury fashion marketplace, Culture Circle plans to launch a two-pronged product authentication system for items sold on its platform. The seller has teamed up with global authentication firm CheckCheck for the initiative, touted as a first of its kind in India designed to boost buyer confidence in the resale of high-end fashion and footwear.

The partnership integrates CheckCheck’s international know-how with Culture Circle’s current AI-powered authentication process. Now, every item purchased on the platform will come with a certificate of authenticity, giving buyers extra peace of mind. Sellers on the platform who have completed KYC verification are now required to authenticate their products through CheckCheck before listing them.

Devansh Jain Nawal, Co-founder, Culture Circle, says, this partnership gives sneaker enthusiasts and luxury shoppers the confidence they deserve. The collaboration also aims to improve the customer experience by treating authentication certificates as valuable, shareable assets. With this initiative, Culture Circle has become the only platform in India to offer this level of verification, further establishing itself as a trusted source for brands like Nike, Adidas, Dior, and Balenciaga.

Perry Nguyen, CEO, CheckCheck, says, the combination of CheckCheck’s authentication expertise with Cultural Circle’s innovative marketplace helps raise the bar for sneaker and luxury resale in India.