With cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR set to attract global luxury brands in the coming two to three years, India’s high street retail is poised for a revival, say experts. Once overshadowed by malls due to infrastructure challenges, high streets are drawing renewed interest thanks to improvements in parking facilities and walkability. This shift is not only making high streets more competitive with malls but also providing a fresh retail experience to both consumers and brands.
For years, global luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Zara avoided India’s high streets, citing poor infrastructure, such as limited parking and pedestrian access. Zara withdrew plans to open a store on Bengaluru’s Commercial Street, and Louis Vuitton shut down its high street location in Chennai due to these issues, explains Abhishek Sharma, Senior Director - Retail Agency, Knight Frank India. However, with significant redevelopment on key streets like Commercial Street and Church Street in Bengaluru, with improved parking and wider walkways, luxury brands are once again flocking to high streets.
Indian-origin brands quick to capitalise on this high street revival include FabIndia, Biba, American Eagle, Tommy Hilfiger and Jack & Jones. According to Sharma, the number of luxury brands setting up their shops on high streets has increased from around 100 to 135-140.
Besides metro cities, this revival can also be seen in Tier II cities like Bhubaneswar, Nasik, Mysuru, and Rajkot.
All Stories
Bollywood actress Triptii Dimri has been appointed as the global brand ambassador of Melbourne-based women’s fashion brand, Forever New.
Representing the brand across major markets including India, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Europe, Dimri will engage the brand’s customers with her distinctive style and influence, showcasing them the label’s latest collections.
The partnership will help strengthen Forever New’s presence in the global fashion market besides consolidating its status as a leading fashion brand. Known for her captivating presence and fashion-forward style, Dimri’s dynamic energy aligns with Forever New’s target audience of young women who embrace contemporary fashion. According to Dhruv Bogra, Country Director, Forever New India, combined with her confident yet approachable personality, Dimri’s high-voltage fashion appeal make her the perfect fit as the brand’s new brand ambassador. Through this partnership, the brand aims to strengthen its bond with consumers in India and abroad.
Featuring several outstanding pieces, Forever New’s Autumn/Winter collection boasts of oversized floral prints, embellishments, and a range of luxurious fabrics such as sheer chiffons and velvets. The collection’s sculpted silhouettes add a modern twist to classic styles, while intricate details make each piece a statement addition to a woman’s wardrobe. Designed to leave an impression, the collection elevates everyday ensembles with refined elegance.
A sports and athleisure brand Campus Activewear has roped in Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal as their new brand ambassador. The brand plans to launch several campaigns featuring the actor across various platforms in the coming months.
The partnership will enable the brand to connect with a wide customer base and leverage on the Kaushal’s popularity amongst youth to fuel its future growth.
Nikhil Aggarwal, CEO, Campus Activewear says, Kaushal’s effortless style alongwith his confidence, and authenticity make him an ideal choice for the role of a brand ambassador.
Kaushal adds, through this association, Campus Activewear aims to empower individuals to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. The partnership will enable customers to have fun with personal style and make bold, unique fashion choices.
Showcasing a signature blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary designs, acclaimed Mumbai-based designer Anushka Khanna has unveiled her latest summer collection, 'To Dye For.'
Inspired by the bustling streets of Mumbai and the rich tapestry of Indian daily life, the collection encourages fashion enthusiasts to embrace vibrant colors and captivating prints in their daily wardrobes.
The collection offers an exciting medley of hues ranging from the warm marigold yellow to the zesty haldi orange. It highlights Khanna's meticulous attention to detail, with intricate embellishments such as mirrorwork, sequins, and iridescent beads, all crafted using traditional artisanal techniques. Each piece in the collection reflects the brand's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and whimsical charm.
A newly formed entity post the demerger of Raymond’s lifestyle business, Raymond Lifestyle (RLL) is set to expand into the sleepwear and innerwear segments over the next three years, according to Sunil Kataria, CEO.
Having launched its men's sleepwear range, Sleepz by Raymond, in September, the company plans to introduce a new innerwear range under the Park Avenue brand in the coming months. Positioned as mass premium, the new range will be distributed through a separate network, targeting India's top 25,000 innerwear outlets over the next 18 months.
RLL also plans to establish Sleepz by Raymond as a national brand, offering high-quality, affordable products. The brand offers t-shirts and boxers for Rs 500 each, while kurta pyjama sets are priced at Rs 950. The company plans to set up a dedicated distribution network to small outlets across India for the sleepwear range, which it hopes will contribute Rs 500 to Rs 700 crore to its overall revenues by FY2027.
Raymond is also expanding its ethnic wear business by increasing the storecount of its brand Ethnix by Raymond from the current 120 to 350-400 by 2027, targeting a 7 per cent share of the weddingwear market.
Besides, Raymond is revitalising its other branded apparel lines, including Color Plus, Park Avenue, Parx, and Ethnix by Raymond, which are sold through 400 EBOs and 1,050 The Raymond Shops (TRS), 75 per cent of which are franchise-owned. The brand plans to increase its Raymond Ready to Wear stores from 100 to 250 over the next three years while maintaining the same franchise-to-owned store ratio. The Park Avenue brand will be transformed by blending formal and casual wear, with innovations like Flextech stretchable trousers and Fearless fabric shirts.
Raymond is also modernising its stores, with the first redesigned outlet to be launched in Jaipur. While focusing on sleepwear, innerwear, and ethnic wear, the company is deprioritising its home products division, which includes bed and bath linens under the Raymond Home brand.
Looking ahead, Raymond plans to add 800-900 new outlets across its brand portfolio and expand further in international markets, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Aneeth Arora’s fashion label Péro has launched its Autumn/Winter 2024 collection in partnership with ‘Barbapapa, the beloved children’s character, originally created in the 1970s by French authors Annette Tison and Talus Taylor.
Aptly titled ‘Hullabaloove, this playful collection brings the vibrant, abstract Barbapapa characters to life through imaginative garments designed for both men and women.
The collection showcases oversized jackets and coats adorned with various Barbapapa characters as tactile appliqués. The iconic cartoon eyes of the characters are also featured on hats and accessories, adding a playful charm to Péro's intricately handcrafted designs.
‘Barbapapa’ was originally created as a children’s book by Annette Tison and Talus Taylor in 1970. The concept was later adapted into a television series, which followed the adventures of the shape-shifting Barbapapa family and became a beloved show in multiple countries.
Founded by Aneeth Arora in 2008, Péro means ‘to wear’ in the Marwari language. The brand is widely available across India and internationally, retailing through both online and offline multi-brand platforms such as Vestiaire Collective, The Cross, and Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop.
The Tata Group plans to either buy a potential stake or acquire the ethnic apparel business of Fabindia. The acquisition may be valued lower than the $2.5 billion as estimated during Fabindia's abandoned initial public offering.
If the deal proceeds, it could become one of the largest transactions in the segment, following Aditya Birla Fashion Retail's acquisition of a controlling stake in TCNS Clothing last year. The acquisition would strategically complement the existing portfolio of the Tatas in the ethnic wear market, with Trent, their retail arm, already offering apparel under brands like Westside, Zudio, and Utsa.
Fabindia's dedication to traditional techniques and sustainably sourced, hand-woven fabrics aligns well with the ethos of the Tata Group. Known for its ethnic products crafted by artisans from rural India, the company was founded in 1960 by John Bissell, an American who came to India to work with the Ford Foundation.
The brand is valued at over Rs. 17,000 crore, and has over 400 stores across India and abroad. Initially starting as a small export company selling handmade textiles and home furnishings to foreign buyers, Fabindia shifted its focus to the domestic market in the 1970s and began opening retail stores in major Indian cities. The brand has significantly boosted rural employment in Indian villages.
Adhering to traditional Indian methods and materials in its products, Fabindia has collaborated closely with local artisans to craft high-quality textiles, clothing, and home decorations that showcase India's cultural richness. Over time, the brand has expanded its range to include a diverse array of products such as clothing, accessories, beauty items, and organic foods.
With a presence in international markets like the United States, Singapore, and Dubai, Fabindia has grown significantly. A key factor responsible for the brand’s success has been its strong commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. The company ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for its suppliers and prioritises eco-friendly materials and packaging.
Flying Machine has launched an exclusive ‘Orry x Flying Machine’ capsule collection in partnership with digital creator Orry. Inspired by Korean and Japanese fashion, this unisex range is available in select Flying Machine, Lifestyle, and Shoppers Stop stores across India. The collection brings together oversized fits and androgynous styles, reflecting the youthful, edgy aesthetics of both Flying Machine and Orry.
Shailesh Chaturvedi, CEO and Managing Director, Arvind Fashions, owner of Flying Machine, says, both Flying Machine and Orry share an appreciation for the bold, oversized, and androgynous elements found in Korean and Japanese fashion. Orry’s style aligns seamlessly with Flying Machine’s denim expertise, and this limited-edition capsule lets them express their individuality.
The collection features eye-catching phrases like ‘L8R H8R’ and ‘Can I live,’ emblazoned on streetwear-inspired pieces that cater to Gen Z. In addition to Flying Machine’s signature denim, the capsule includes vests, caps, bucket hats, jorts, parachute pants, and t-shirts, offering a fresh, playful take on street fashion.
Adhering to Korean and Japanese style of fashion, this oversized, androgynous collection is a perfect extension of Orry’s personal style, says the digital creator.
As a part of its broader global strategy in collaboration with Indian licensing agency Bradford License India, British fashion and lifestyle brand Laura Ashley plans to make its debut in the Indian market at the start of 2025.
Known for its apparel and home textiles, Laura Ashley will launch its operations in India with a diverse range of products, including textiles, soft furnishings, wallpaper, furniture, and upholstery. Acquired by Gordon Brothers in 2020, the brand has expanded its retail presence to 81 countries.
Gaurav Marya, Chairman, Bradford License India, says, the agency’s partnership with Laura Ashley aligns with its mission to introduce iconic global brands in India, offering consumers a touch of Laura Ashley's timeless elegance and quality.
The organisation’s expertise in brand licensing and market expansion will contribute to the success of this collaboration.
Renowned for its classic British aesthetic and floral print textiles, Laura Ashley boasts a history spanning over 70 years and operates with 210 global licensed product categories.
Value fashion and lifestyle retailer V-Mart has expanded its physical presence in Uttar Pradesh with the opening of a new store in Lakhimpur. This new outlet offers a wide range of clothing, accessories, and homeware products catering to men, women, and children.
The store's layout emphasises value products with prominent signage highlighting low-priced items such as handbags and t-shirts. Its merchandise includes a blend of western and ethnic wear, with a dedicated section for denim. The homeware department offers bed linens and accessories, and the store also features sleepwear and innerwear.
In addition to the new store launch, V-Mart recently introduced its summer collection, which focuses on casual styles suitable for hot weather. The women's collection features brightly colored cargo trousers, graphic t-shirts, and kurta sets, while the men's collection includes relaxed-fit denim, cargo shorts, and streetwear-inspired t-shirts.
Despite reporting a net loss of Rs 39 crore in the fourth quarter of the 2024 financial year, which ended on March 31, V-Mart anticipates up to 19% growth in the current financial year.
Actors Tripti Dimri and Vijay Varma have been onboarded by Metro Shoes to endorse the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2024 collection. The actors will feature in brand campaign to be telecast across various platforms.
The campaign will enable Metro Shoes to expand its reach to a wider audience and boost sales during the festive season.
Alisha Malik, President, Metro Brands, says, the campaign showcases a well-rounded collection offering everything from everyday essentials to signature styles that are stylish, versatile and comfortable. Both Dimri and Varma perfectly exemplify the brand’s audience that is self-confident, authentic and with a keen sense of personal style.
Dimri adds, the excitement of shopping at Metro with family is a cherished memory. The brand offers a varied range from casual styles in college to more trendy options for special occasions. Its latest collection is set to available for purchase on the brand’s website and retail outlets across the country.
A popular Indian fashion brand, Latin Quarters will soon launch its inaugural eco-friendly capsule collection, Revive.
Featuring various recycled fabrics, including blended linen, remi, flex, and recycled denim, the collection transforms discarded textiles into stylish and functional pieces.
The design palette of the collection emphasises muted, earthy tones that complement the natural textures of the recycled fabrics, reflecting an increasing consumer preference for natural aesthetics in fashion.
The collection offers a range of products, including blended linen tops, tunics, and dresses, as well as recycled polyester pants, skirts, etc
Deepika Bhardwaj, Designer, Latin Quarters, says, the collection inspires brands to leverage sustainable practices to align with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly apparel. The use of recycled fabrics in mainstream fashion opens avenues for growth and innovation in the textile recycling sector, she adds.
Launched by fashion and lifestyle retailer, Shoppers Stop, the ‘First Citizen Club’ rewards program has reached a major milestone of over 10 million members. The company plans to further enhance the customer experience through targeted customer engagement strategies.
Swetal Basu, Customer Care Associate and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Shoppers Stop, says this achievement reflects the trust and loyalty that customers have in the retailer.
To commemorate this milestone, Shoppers Stop is offering its First Citizen Club members exciting opportunities such as lucky draws and scratch cards, along with in-store entertainment like selfie booths, free makeovers, and exclusive brand offers..
Described by Shoppers Stop as ‘the country’s longest running paid loyalty program,’ the First Citizen Club provides members with various benefits and discounts. These include priority access to sales and new collections, birthday offers, exclusive event invitations, and the ‘Personal Shopper’ service.