Marks & Spencer has added two new womenswear labels, Hush and Whistles to its ‘Brands at M&S’ platform.

The addition of these two labels is a response to the growth of womenswear on the platform which registered an 18 per cent rise in sales in 2024 compared to the previous year. Womenswear is a top-performing category on the platform featuring third party brands. The category contributes 49 per cent to the platform's overall revenue.

The brand Hush is being launched on the platform with an exclusive 12-piece collection. It will debut on March 12, while the brand Whistles will be launched in April. Both Hush and Whistles will offer over 300 seasonal styles on the marketplace. Both these brands will join other brands like Baukjen, Nobody’s Child, and Chinti & Parker on the platform, bringing the total number of third-party womenswear brands on it to 26.

Nishi Mahajan, Director-Brands, Apparel, and Home Division, highlights, the retailer's ongoing efforts to introduce third-party brands began four years ago.

To further support these efforts, Marks & Spencer will host more Nobody’s Child pop-up shops this spring and summer, across 56 of its store locations. These 500-sq-ft pop-ups will feature 40-piece capsule collections, including signature dresses, shirts, and blouses from Nobody's Child's Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

In the dynamic world of Indian sportswear, one name stands out: Shiv Naresh. Founded by Shiv Prakash Singh, Director, the company has grown from a modest tailoring shop into a powerhouse in the athletic apparel industry. Singh’s leadership has helped the company build a reputation for quality and innovation. His deep understanding of industry trends, consumer preferences, and market challenges has positioned Shiv Naresh as a dominant player in India’s growing sportswear market.

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Currently having a workforce of over 800 employees, Shiv Naresh is a name synonymous with quality and performance. The brand proudly outfits athletes at both national and international levels.

Every Indian athlete who has won an Olympic or Asian medal has donned the company’s apparel, states Singh, emphasizing the brand’s deep-rooted connection to Indian sports. From humble beginnings to national prominence, the company has remained committed to delivering top-tier performance wear tailored to the needs of elite athletes.

Championing domestic manufacturing

Largely driven by the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the sportswear industry is moving toward domestic manufacturing. Highlighting this transformation, Singh notes, approximately 90 per cent of sportswear is now produced in India.

Historically, India has always relied on imports for high-performance fabrics, but Singh is optimistic for the future. As more manufacturing companies establish operations in India, the country will soon be able to meet all its fabric requirements domestically, he affirms.

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Observing a changing mindset among Indian consumers, Singh says, there is a growing aspiration among Indian netizens for locally made products, and they are willing to pay a premium for them.  

This presents a valuable opportunity for Shiv Naresh to expand its reach beyond professional athletes and tap into the growing passive wear market, he adds.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite its successes however, the brand Shiv Naresh faces ongoing challenges. The company needs to constantly innovate to meet global sportswear standards and maintain their edge in the industry, aver Singh   

Taking significant steps towards expansion, Shiv Naresh has embraced online sales besides also establishing 38 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs). The company’s future lies in offering high-quality apparel to a broader audience. It can establish a strong presence in the passive wear segment only by focusing on quality and service, asserts Singh.

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Looking ahead

As India's sportswear industry grows, Shiv Naresh stands at the forefront, embodying the spirit of resilience and innovation. The brand sets new standard with its commitment to excellence and a vision for the future. As more athletes choose Shiv Naresh, the company’s legacy will inspire future generations of sports enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike.

A staunch advocate of domestic manufacturing, Singh is a strong supporter of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, reducing the country’s reliance on imported sportswear. As a thought leader in the industry, he continues to champion the importance of quality, service, and Indian heritage in the global market.

His vision ensures that Shiv Naresh remains a symbol of excellence in the Indian sportswear market for years to come.

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Bata India has unveiled a digital showcase of their latest wedding wear collections in collaboration with renowned designer label Geisha Designs. This partnership seamlessly blends Bata's heritage of stylish comfort with the newly launched Celebration Collection and Geisha Designs' exquisite craftsmanship showcased in 'Marquise – Evening Occasion Wear 2025'.

Featuring metallic heels and refined silhouettes that elevate the fashion of wedding guests, Bata’s latest footwear range, the Celebration Collection is designed to offer effortless glamour and unmatched comfort. With this partnership, Bata India continues its mission to make high-fashion comfort more accessible.

Deepika Deepti, Head of Marketing, Bata India says, the Bata Celebration Collection is designed  for Maximalist dressing for Cocktail parties held during the weddings, where customers desire to shine brighter while having high quality comfort.

Bata’s Celebration Collection has been thoughtfully curated to perfectly complement Geisha’s Marquise Collection, offering sophisticated silhouettes and intricate detailing that cater to diverse wedding moments. From dancing at the Sangeet and leading the Baraat to seamlessly managing bridesmaid duties, this collection ensures style without compromise. With prices starting at Rs. 999, the footwear range is now available across 1,900+ Bata stores, Bata.com, and leading e-commerce platforms.

Shalini Jaikaria, Director and Co-founder, Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini adds, the Marquise-Evening Wear collection is designed for the modern woman who seeks not just to make a statement but tell her story—her every gesture a reminder of the beauty in authenticity and the magic of being unapologetically herself.

With this collaboration, Bata further strengthens its position at the forefront of stylish, high-quality footwear, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary trends. As a go-to brand for modern wedding fashion, Bata continues to revolutionize celebration dressing, ensuring that fashion-conscious individuals step into every wedding moment with confidence and grace.

Language introduces a festive footwear collection that blends elegance with all-day comfort. Designed for celebrations, these statement shoes add a refined touch to any ensemble, making them perfect for festive gatherings or thoughtful gifts.

The Ella Moccasins offer a seamless mix of tradition and modern style. Crafted from premium leather, they feature a flexible rubber sole for effortless movement and a delicate floral trim for a festive touch. Available in Green and Ecru, these moccasins ensure comfort and sophistication through every celebration.

For those seeking chic minimalism, the Asher Flats deliver effortless style. Featuring beaded cord straps and a ventilated suede footbed, they provide comfort without compromising on elegance. A glittering accent strap adds just the right amount of sparkle, making them ideal for any festive occasion. Choose between Rose Gold and Pewter to complete your look.

Every pair in the Language women’s collection reflects expert craftsmanship and refined aesthetics, designed to complement festive attire while ensuring comfort.

Explore the collection at Language exclusive stores in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, and Sangrur, as well as 300+ premium multi-brand outlets nationwide, including Metro Shoes, Mochi, Inc.5, Centro, Rocia, and Regal Shoes. Shop online at languageshoes.com, Tatacliq.com, and Amazon.in.

Ajio has launched its debut advertising campaign created entirely using generative AI. Titled ‘The Great Fashion Price Crash,’ the campaign promotes the upcoming ‘Ajio All Stars Sale’ and emphasizes the retailer's focus on technology-driven storytelling.

The campaign draws comparisons between stock market crashes and consumer spending habits, positioning Ajio's discounts of 50 per cent to 90 per cent off international brands as a response to value-conscious shopping trends. The promotional film presents a stylized, AI-generated financial market collapse, replacing falling stocks with plummeting fashion prices.

Ajio developed the campaign using over 2,000 AI-generated images, which were transformed into more than 200 video clips to create a 22-scene film. The entire process, including AI-generated music and voiceovers, was completed in four days. The company utilized tools such as Kuki, ElevenLabs, Midjourney, and Runway ML to produce the visuals, animation, and sound.

Ajio constantly seeks new ways to innovate, both in terms of connecting with audiences and executing its storytelling, says Arpan Biswas, Chief Marketing Officer. Leveraging generative AI for this campaign allows the brand to create high-quality content with exceptional production value while staying true to the consumers’ sentiments that drive sales, he adds.

EiPi Media executed the campaign, integrating AI tools with traditional filmmaking techniques. AI gave the firm the flexibility to create a visually compelling, high-production-value campaign at an unprecedented speed, states Rohit Reddy, Founder and CEO, EiPi Media.

Ajio’s All Stars Sale features over 6,000 brands and 2.2 million fashion styles, offering discounts across apparel, accessories, footwear, and beauty. The online platform is part of Reliance Retail's operations.

The premium fashion retail chain operated by Arvind Fashions’ subsidiary, Arvind Lifestyle Brands, Club A is expanding its footprint with new stores in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Club A offers a curated selection of well-known brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, U.S. Polo Assn., Arrow, Flying Machine, and Stride.

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A premier destination for premium fashion and accessories catering to customers seeking luxury, Club A currently boasts stores in Bengaluru, Delhi, Surat and Lucknow.

Known to offer personalized shopping experience with a dedicated concierge, Club A plans to add two new stores this year in Himayatnagar, Hyderabad, and HSR Layout, Bengaluru.

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The retailer now offers new Spring/Summer '25 collections from all the in-house brands.

Featuring internationally recognized brands as well as collections from Arvind Fashions, Stride's premium footwear, handbags, and watches, and labels like Cole Haan and Guess, Club A is a high-end fashion destination for style-conscious customers.

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The Indian retail industry is undergoing a major transformation with the rapid rise of value retail, a segment catering to consumers seeking affordability without compromising style and quality. This evolution was a focal point at Bharat Tex 2025, where the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) hosted an insightful panel discussion titled ‘Value Retail: Consumer’s Delight, Industry’s Opportunity.’

Industry experts weigh in

Moderated by B S Nagesh, Chairman of Shoppers Stop & Founder of Trrain, the panel featured key voices from the retail sector, including P Venkatesalu, CEO & Executive Director of Trent Ltd; Rakesh Biyani, Mentor at Nexon Omniverse Ltd; Ram Chandra Agarwal, Chairman & MD of V2 Retail Ltd; Rajesh Jain, MD & CEO of Sports and Leisure Apparel Ltd (Lacoste India); Vedant Modi, Chief Revenue Officer of Vedant Fashions Ltd (Manyavar); and Suman Saha, CXO of Myntra.

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Value Retail: Beyond affordability

The discussion highlighted that value retail is no longer just about low prices it is about offering aspirational products at affordable price points. Consumer demand for fashion and lifestyle products is soaring in both urban and non-urban markets, driven by increasing disposable income, digital awareness, and shifting expectations.

Ram Chandra Agarwal emphasized the immense potential in value fashion, stating that India’s biggest fashion retail company could be a value fashion retail company. He noted that the opportunity is limitless, and success will depend on supply chain efficiency, product innovation, and operational excellence.

Social media & changing consumer aspirations

Panellists agreed that social media is reshaping consumer behavior, making fashion trends more accessible.

Suman Saha highlighted how digital platforms have accelerated trend adoption, stating that earlier, fashion trends trickled down over time, but now, virality on social media dictates demand overnight. He pointed to the example of ‘Farewell Sarees’ becoming a national trend instantly and stressed that consumers today seek affordability, trendiness, and relevance, making it essential for brands to be agile in responding to evolving needs.

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Tier 2 & 3 Cities: The new growth frontier

While metro cities continue to lead sales, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are witnessing an unprecedented retail boom. Vedant Modi shared that one of Manyavar’s largest stores is in Gorakhpur, spanning 25,000 square feet. He noted that smaller cities have immense spending power, especially during weddings, and instead of opening multiple small stores, the company is focusing on larger, experience-driven retail formats to cater to these high-demand markets.

Online vs Offline: Finding the right balance

While e-commerce is growing rapidly, offline retail remains crucial, particularly for categories requiring tactile experiences.

P Venkatesalu stressed the importance of a strategic omnichannel approach, explaining that modern consumers shop across multiple formats. He noted that while Gen Z is digital-first, Zudio has consciously chosen to remain offline, emphasizing that success lies in making clear strategic choices rather than blindly following trends.

Rajesh Jain redefined the concept of value in retail, stating that value isn’t just about price. He explained that a customer buying a Rs 3,999 Lacoste polo wants the same satisfaction as someone buying a Rs 399 polo and affirmed that the same consumer who wears a Lacoste polo when going out with friends may feel comfortable wearing a budget-friendly brand at home.

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Value retail’s role in job creation

With modern retail expanding into more than 1,000 cities, value retail has the potential to create over 30 million jobs.

Rakesh Biyani highlighted India’s unique advantage as both a production and consumption hub and stressed that strengthening supply chains and large-scale manufacturing will be key to sustainable growth.

The future of value retail

The discussion at Bharat Tex 2025 reinforced that value retail is evolving beyond affordability. Key takeaways included that value retail is about aspirational yet affordable products, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are driving significant growth, social media is accelerating trend adoption, omnichannel retail must be strategically executed, and retail expansion will create millions of jobs.

As panellists concluded, they agreed that Indian consumers cannot be boxed into a single category. Their buying decisions vary based on occasion, affordability, and trend preferences. The next decade will see brands expanding into untapped regions, refining omnichannel strategies, and redefining customer experiences to stay ahead in India’s dynamic retail market.

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Men’s fashion brand Double Bull is set for a major expansion across India as it marks its 50th anniversary. The company aims to reach Rs 100 crore ($11.5 million) in revenue by FY31, up from its current Rs 35 crore.

As part of its growth strategy, Double Bull plans to open over 50 exclusive brand outlets and expand its presence in multi-brand stores across 14 states by the year-end. It is also entering the direct-to-consumer market with an exclusive e-commerce store.

Founded in 1974, Double Bull became popular for its bold party wear in the 90s. Now, the brand is revamping its offerings with premium yet affordable apparel catering to modern consumers.

With new leadership driving the vision, Double Bull is expanding its product portfolio to include versatile, stylish clothing beyond party wear, reinforcing its position in India’s fashion market.

Fast-fashion startup targeting Gen Z with trend-driven collections and rapid inventory cycles, Newme aims to boost revenues to Rs 5,000 crore by FY 2030. The company also plans to set up a nationwide network of 100 offline stores by the period.

At the core of Newme's growth strategy is its proprietary supply chain and data science model, enabling weekly collection drops with zero pre-managed inventory. By leveraging real-time trend analysis and a 48-hour production pipeline, Newme delivers hyper-relevant collections within a week, creating a dynamic fashion ecosystem unique to India, affirms Sumit Jasoria, CEO.

The brand utilizes Generative AI to operate with minimum order quantities (MOQs) from day one, allowing for unmatched speed and minimal waste, kept in single digits. This data-driven supply chain, combined with hyperlocal curation at the pin code level for each store, has fueled Newme's rapid growth: 7X in its first year, 3X in its second, and on track for another 3X this year. Newme projects Rs 220-240 crore in revenue by FY25 and Rs 700-800 crore by FY26.

Currently operating 13-14 stores, Newme blends its digital-first approach with a strong offline presence. Unlike traditional retailers, Newme stores offer dynamic, weekly-refreshed collections tailored to local preferences. The brands Delhi stores offer completely different assortments," notes Jasoria. They deliver something new to customers every week, he adds. y

Newme's FY30 ambition extends beyond revenue. The company is working towards an IPO by the end of the decade, confirms Jasoria. The brand iams to become a publicly listed, global fashion brand rooted in India's fast-evolving fashion landscape. Its global expansion plans include both digital platforms and physical stores in key international markets, replicating its successful India model.

Men's apparel brand The Bear House has expanded its offline presence with the launch of its first standalone store in Bengaluru. Opening of this store marks a significant milestone in the brand’s retail expansion journey for 2025 following the success of its first offline store-in-store (SIS) concept in Delhi.

Spanning 1,100 sq ft, the new store offers The Bear House’s signature collection of premium menswear = including shirts, polos, bottoms, sweatshirts, and accessories. The store is designed as a ‘bear's den,’ and offers an immersive shopping experience with earthy tones, natural textures, and playful elements like bear footprints.

Harsh Somaiya, Co-Founder, The Bear House, says, the store offers customers an opportunity to fully experience the brand’s collection by seeing, touching, and feeling the quality and versatility of its range.

Founded in 2018 by Tanvi and Harsh Somaiya, The Bear House has built a strong digital presence, resonating with online shoppers across India. The brand’s apparel is designed for modern men who prioritize comfort, style, and adaptability - perfect for transitioning between work, social outings, and everyday activities.