One of India’s leading fashion brands, Biba showcased its vibrant Biba Girls Collection at the recently concluded 11th India Kids Fashion Week (IKFW) in Delhi.

Designed for girls aged 02-15 years, the collection featured playful Indian wear such as lehengas, suit sets, and shararas, perfectly blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary trends. The 40 young models showcased outfits that embodied youthful charm and captured the festive spirit of the event.

According to Siddharth Bindra, Managing Director, Biba, the collection celebrates the essence of Indian fashion while prioritising style and comfort.

Following the success of this event, Biba will showcase the Biba Girls collection at the upcoming editons of IKFW in Jaipur and Mumbai. Renowned for its high-quality ethnic wear, the brand maintains its tradition of fusing timeless Indian heritage with modern trends, ensuring style and comfort for young girls.

Held from Sep 21-22, 2024, the 11th edition of India Kids Fashion Week (IKFW) featured esteemed designers including BIBA, Mumkins, Modish, Celecao Couture, Little Rajkumari, Navkiya_g_official, MFS, Ahhaaaa, TMN, and Ministitch.

IKFW provides a unique platform for designers and brands, offering grand showcases, media exposure, and valuable networking opportunities, along with runway experiences and grooming workshops

IKFW not only celebrates children’s fashion but also aspires to establish itself as a global platform that brings together sponsors, designers, media professionals, and families.

Yarn Expo Autumn 2024 concluded on a high note, welcoming nearly 22,000 buyers from 81 countries and regions. The event showcased the textile industry's commitment to sustainability and innovation, featuring a wide array of eco-friendly products and solutions.

Diverse offerings and international participation

The fair attracted nearly 540 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, including new additions like Germany and Thailand. International buyer numbers increased by 6.7%, demonstrating the show's growing global appeal. Nguyen Thi To Trang from Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group VinatexPhu Hung Joint Stock Company aptly captured the sentiment, saying, “We aim to connect with suppliers, buyers, and partners who are interested in green products, and we have met international and Chinese customers who share this interest.”

New product zones and innovative solutions

Yarn Expo Autumn introduced a new Silk Yarn Zone, further diversifying its product offerings. The show also featured quality cotton, recycled and bio-based yarns and fibres, as well as cutting-edge products utilizing bottle flakes, castor beans, and more.

Green transition in spotlight

Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, highlighted the importance of sustainability in the global economy, especially in the textile industry. She emphasized that Yarn Expo, as a member of Messe Frankfurt's Texpertise Network, actively promotes the concept of the industry's green transition.

Echoing this sentiment, Karuna Changmai from Thai Acrylic Fibre Co., Ltd., Thailand remarked, "Yarn Expo emphasizes sustainability, featuring many exhibitors dedicated to green initiatives, which is crucial for the future of the fashion industry."

Fringe Programme Highlights Sustainability

The three-day fringe programme offered valuable insights into the industry's green future. The New Fibre New World - Textile Materials Innovation Forum focused on reducing environmental impact through new technology and materials. The Tongkun - China Fibre Fashion Trends 2024/2025 Display Zone showcased the latest trends, emphasizing the balance between style and sustainability.

Key Highlights:

• India launched Kasturi Cotton, a new initiative promoting premium cotton fabrics.

• Pakistani companies made a strong presence at Intertextile Shanghai, showcasing their apparel and yarn products.

• Square Textiles from Bangladesh presented a diverse range of yarns at Yarn Expo.

Kasturi Cotton: India's Fragrant Offering at Yarn Expo 2024

India's textile industry made a strong presence at the Yarn Expo Autumn 2024, showcasing a new initiative called Kasturi Cotton. Murali Balkrishna, Joint director, TEXPROCILexplained that the name refers to musk a product emanating from deer and widely used in the perfume industry. “But a deer does not notice the smell itself”. Murali added, “In a similar way, we think cotton fabrics of very high quality have always been present in the large volumes of the fibre that India exports and we have launched this initiative to bring more attention to it.”

Like always, the Pavilion was organised by the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), with Indo Industries, Padwa Worldwide, Texperts India, Niva Organics and other members exhibiting under the banner.

Pakistan Shines at Yarn Expo

Sixteen Pakistani exhibitors showcased their apparel and yarn products, garnering positive feedback even amidst challenging market conditions. Mahmood Textile was recognized for its ten years of participation at the event. Pakistani companies expressed optimism about future business prospects in the Chinese market.

Akmal, Marketing Manager at Mahmood Textile, shared his positive experience: “We’ve been attending ITSA & Yarn Expo for ten years, and it has always been exceptional. Messe Frankfurt Karachi’s support has been outstanding, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership.” Adds, Adnan Butt, Director of Sales and Marketing at Yarana Textiles, “Despite the tough market conditions in China, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the strong response from potential buyers. The level of interest has surpassed our expectations, and we are eager to further explore this promising market.”

Square Textiles, Bangladesh showcased diverse range of yarns

Square Textiles from Bangladesh participated showcasing a variety of yarns, including cotton yarn, polyester, organic yarn, and cotton-polyester blended yarns. International participation from both exhibitors and visitors was strong. Shah Muhamed Faisal, General Manager of Marketing at Square Textiles, expressing his views about the show said, 'We’re very optimistic that this platform will help us grow our business significantly”.

NEW PRODUCT LUNCHES

Lycra's Qira: Pioneering sustainable spandex from corn

Lycra Company unveiled its ground-breaking sustainable spandex, Qira, made from corn at Intertextile Shanghai. Qira, expected to launch in 2025, aims to cut carbon emissions by up to 44%. Lycra also highlighted other eco-friendly products and its partnership with Regina Miracle showcasing Lycra Adaptiv for inclusive sizing.“We have been thrilled to showcase our sustainable solutions,” said Jason Wang, Lycra Vice President, Asia.

Tencel embraces sustainable future with rebranding

Lenzing unveiled a fresh brand identity for its flagship lyocell fiber, Tencel, at Intertextile Shanghai. The new theme, "Nature, Future, Us," underscores Tencel's dedication to sustainability and innovation. This strategic move aims to solidify Tencel's position in the evolving textile landscape, assuring consumers of its commitment to quality, renewable resources, and traceability. “When consumers see the Tencel trademark, they can rest assured that they are choosing renewable, traceable fibres that guarantee quality and comfort,” said Kit Ping Au-Yeung, Lenzing’sExecutive Vice-President, Textile Business

Sustainable acrylic fibresfrom Thai Acrylic shine at Yarn Expo

TAF, an Aditya Birla Group company, showcased its sustainable acrylic fibersRadianza, Regel, and Pilbloc at Yarn Expo in Shanghai. These innovative fibers are designed to reduce environmental impact and offer high performance. TAF is committed to driving growth and innovation in the acrylic fiber industry through its focus on sustainability and quality."Our participation in Yarn Expo underscores our commitment to driving global growth and innovation within the acrylic fiber sector," said TuhinKulshreshtha, head of Marketing, Value Added Products, TAF.

Buyer endorse Yarn Expo Autumn 2024, another successful edition Buyers were impressed by the product range and international scope of the fair. Tang Wenting, a Knitting Designer from Meige Clothing ,Shanghai noted, "Yarn Expo has made significant strides in fostering international exchange, allowing me to better understand the needs of foreign buyers.

" Sudhir Kumar, a Business Development Manager from India, was particularly pleased with opportunities show provided, "Each time I visit this platform I find something new, such as functional yarns and fabrics with unique properties", he commented.

Concurrent fairs enhance business opportunities

Yarn Expo Autumn 2024 successfully marked another successful edition and facilitated the global eco-transition in the textile industry. The event was held alongside Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, CHIC, and PH Value, creating synergy and maximizing business opportunities for exhibitors and buyers across the entire textile value chain.

With its diverse product offerings, increased international participation, and focus on sustainability, the fair served as a vital platform for industry players to connect, collaborate, and explore new opportunities.

Having recently reopened one of its select brand outlets in Coimbatore, Indian Terrain aims to increase its revenues by 10 per cent this fiscal year. The brand achieved revenues of Rs 460 crore in the previous fiscal year, highlights Charath Ram Narasimhan, Managing Director & CEO, Indian Terrain.
Last year, around 15 per cent of the brand’s sales came from its e-commerce operations, notes Narasimhan. Currently operating 200 select stores across India, the brand plans to open 30 new stores nationally, with 20-25 stores planned for the South and Western regions, he says.
In the textile hub of Coimbatore, Indian Terrain already has nine stores and a strong presence in nearby cities like Tiruppur, Salem, Erode, and Karur. Showcasing its strong connection with the state, Indian Terrain currently operates 50 stores in Tamil Nadu.

Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo celebrates five years in India, having opened its first store in October 2019. To commemorate this milestone, the company announced the launch of two new stores in November, located at Phoenix Palladium in Mumbai and Pacific Mall Tagore Garden in New Delhi.
Kenji Inoue, CFO and COO of Uniqlo India, reflected on the company's five-year journey, describing it as incredible and filled with valuable lessons. He expressed satisfaction with the deep appreciation Indian customers have shown for their LifeWear collections, which are known for being high-quality and functional, aimed at enhancing everyday life.
Currently, Uniqlo operates 13 stores in India, with plans to expand its presence further, including six to eight additional stores in Mumbai and Pune over the next two years. The new Phoenix Palladium store will be the brand’s third in Mumbai, featuring a sales floor of 18,380 square feet. The Pacific Mall store will measure 12,930 square feet, becoming the ninth store in the Delhi NCR region. Both locations will offer Uniqlo’s LifeWear collections for men, women, children, and babies.

A tech-enabled fashion manufacturing platform, Zyod,has successfully raised $18 million (Rs 150 crore) in its Series A funding round led by RTP Global.
The funding round was attended by both existing and new investors including Lightspeed, Alteria Capital, Stride Ventures, Stride One, and Trifecta Capital.
The generated funds will be used to expand Zyod’s global operations, enhance technological advancements, and focus on talent acquisition. The company will also leverage this capital to further its mission of transforming the global fashion manufacturing industry.
Ankit Jaipuria, Co-founder, Zyod, says, the fresh round of funding underscores the strong support and confidence in Zyod’s vision to revolutionise the global fashion manufacturing industry. The brand plans to continue collaborating with local handpicked manufacturers, leveraging its deep expertise in manufacturing to unlock a new phase of growth.”
Highlighting the potential of Zyod, Nishit Garg, Partner, RTP Global Asia, says, the company will support Zyod’s expansion of its transformative platform internationally, showcasing the potential of Indian entrepreneurship on the global stage
Founded in 2023 by Ankit Jaipuria and Ritesh Khandelwal, Zyod offers a diverse catalogue of 10,000 unique styles monthly. The company has established a global presence, operating in over 15 countries.

The organized apparel retail sector in India is poised for a steady growth of 8-10 per cent this fiscal year, primarily driven by festive demand, easing inflation, and the rising popularity of fast fashion, according to a recent CRISIL Ratings report. While this is in line with the growth seen last fiscal, it is a slowdown compared to the 11-12 per cent CAGR witnessed between 2018 and 2023. This has prompted retailers to adopt a cautious approach towards expansion, focusing instead on improving efficiencies in existing stores and cost control measures.

While both organized and unorganized segments will contribute to this growth, the report highlights a significant shift in market dynamics. Organized retailers, with their strong brand presence, diversified product offerings, and extensive distribution networks, are gaining ground rapidly. They are expected to outpace their unorganized counterparts, registering a growth of around 20 per cent compared to 10-12 per cent for the latter. For example, Reliance Retail, the retail arm of Reliance Industries has emerged as a dominant player in the organized apparel retail space, with its diverse portfolio of brands and aggressive expansion strategy. Another major player, ABFRL, has been focusing on brand building, digital transformation, and omnichannel retail to drive growth. Similarly, Nykaa Fashion, the online fashion retailer has leveraged its strong digital presence and curated product offerings to capture a significant share of the market.

Key report findings

Mass market dominance: The mass market segment, pushed up by fast fashion, now accounts for 60 per cent of total sales, up from 56 per cent pre-pandemic. Fast fashion's ability to quickly deliver the latest trends at affordable prices has resonated with consumers, driving significant growth in this segment.
Festive & wedding season boost: The festive and wedding seasons are expected to boost demand for premium clothing, further contributing to the overall growth.
Cautious expansion: With a shift in consumer spending towards travel experiences and luxury goods in major cities, retailers are hesitant to expand their brick-and-mortar presence there. Instead, they are focusing on growth in Tier II, III cities where organized retail is still gaining traction.
Stable profit margins: Better inventory management and stable input costs are expected to prevent significant inventory write-offs, ensuring stable operating margins at 7.2-7.4 per cent.
Strong credit profiles: Consistent cash flow and limited reliance on debt will lead to healthy debt metrics, supporting the sector's overall credit profile.

The report predicts, the festive season is expected to provide a significant boost to the sector, with increased demand for premium clothing. However, the overall outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Retailers are adapting their business strategies, focusing on enhancing supply chain efficiency and keeping up with evolving consumer trends, particularly in fast fashion.

What’s driving this change?

Fast fashion: The growing popularity of fast fashion is a major driver of growth in the mass market segment. Retailers are constantly updating their collections to offer the latest trends, attracting consumers who crave variety and affordability.

Changing consumer behavior: Consumer preferences are evolving, with a shift towards experiences and luxury goods in major cities. Retailers need to adapt to these changes to remain relevant.

Tier II, III city growth: Smaller cities present a significant opportunity for organized retail as they transition towards a more modern shopping experience.

E-commerce: While not specifically addressed in the CRISIL report, the growing influence of e-commerce cannot be ignored. Retailers need to develop a strong online presence to cater to the increasing number of digital-savvy consumers.

The report highlights the organized apparel retail sector in India is on a path of steady growth, propelled fast fashion, festive demand, and the growing purchasing power in Tier II, III cities. However, retailers need to remain agile and adapt to evolving consumer preferences and the increasing influence of e-commerce to sustain this growth in the long run.

A recent report by Cushman & Wakefield has highlighted the critical challenge facing India's booming retail sector: a significant shortage of retail space per capita (RSPC). The findings reveal a pressing need for substantial expansion in retail infrastructure to accommodate the growing aspirations of both domestic and international brands.

India’s RSPC much lower that the US, China
National average RSPC: The report calculates India's national average RSPC stands at a mere 2.7 sq ft per person. While this indicates a growing retail sector, it remains significantly lower than global standards. Compared to global standards, in developed economies like the US the RSPC is around 20 sq ft per person. China stands at around 5 sq ft per capita. This stark contrast emphasizes the vast room for growth in the Indian retail landscape.

City-wise disparities: The report reveals significant variations in RSPC across Indian cities. While major metros like Delhi and Mumbai fare relatively better, with RSPC figures of 3.2 and 4.1 sq ft per person, respectively, Tier-II and Tier-III cities lag behind considerably however, rapid urbanization and rising disposable incomes in these cities are driving the demand for retail space, attracting both domestic and international brands. Meanwhile Mumbai’s high RSPC is attributed to its mature retail market, strong consumer spending, and the presence of numerous international brands. Anshul Jain, Managing Director, India & South East Asia, Cushman & Wakefield says, "India's retail sector is at an inflection point, with strong growth potential. The increasing RSPC in major cities is a testament to the sector's resilience and the rising consumer demand."

Table: Citywise RSPC in India

Tier 1 cities
Mumbai: 4.1 sq ft per person
Delhi NCR: 3.5 sq ft per person
Bengaluru: 3.2 sq ft per person
Chennai: 2.9 sq ft per person
Kolkata: 2.5 sq ft per person

Tier II & III cities
Pune: 3.0 sq ft per person
Hyderabad: 2.8 sq ft per person
Ahmedabad: 2.6 sq ft per person
Lucknow: 2.2 sq ft per person
Jaipur: 2.0 sq ft per person

The Cushman & Wakefield's analysis shows current RSPC constraints pose a significant challenge for both domestic and international brands seeking to expand or enter the Indian market. Limited availability of quality retail space is hindering their growth plans.

The report features several case studies illustrating the impact of limited retail space. For instance, the report notes that several international brands have been hesitant to enter India due to the scarcity of suitable retail locations. For example, despite its popularity, H&M's expansion in India has been slowed by the lack of suitable retail spaces, particularly in Tier-II, III cities. Similarly, while IKEA has successfully opened stores in a few major cities, its ambitious plans for pan-India expansion are facing hurdles due to the scarcity of large-format retail spaces.

The report projects that India's retail sector will continue rapid growth in the coming years. However, this growth will be severely constrained unless there is a substantial increase in retail space availability. The report estimates that India needs an additional 150-200 million sq ft of retail space to accommodate the growing presence of domestic and international brands. It underscores the urgent need for increased investments in the development of Grade-A malls and other retail formats across the country. This will not only boost the growth of existing brands but also create a conducive environment for international brands to establish a strong presence in India.