The fashion and apparel category is projected to have the highest share, at 25%, of the estimated overall online retail spends of $140 billion to $160 billion by 2025, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group and Matrix Partners India. This growth is expected to replace the mobile devices category, which is expected to fall to 23% in 2025 from 32% in 2021.

The report also suggests that as affluence in the country increases, discretionary spending will drive growth in categories beyond food and clothing. High-affluent households are expected to spend a lower percentage of their income on food and clothing and more on discretionary purchases such as transportation, communication, leisure, education, and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the fashion industry in India, accelerating the shift towards e-commerce. To sustain growth in the fashion sector, the report recommends maximizing customer lifetime value by expanding offerings, driving loyalty through customer retention, and focusing on cross-selling and up-selling.

The adoption of AI and analytics across the value chain, alongside expanding distribution across channels and geographies, will also be essential for driving sustainable growth.

 04 April 2023, Mumbai

Lee has opened the largest store in India, located in Bengaluru. Lee already operates about 40 exclusive brand outlets across India, and with the opening of 40 new stores this year, the brand is set to expand its reach further.

Spread over 4,200 square feet, the new flagship store is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including electronic shelf talkers, smart mirrors for personalized recommendations, and customization sections. The store in Bengaluru is expected to offer customers an unparalleled shopping experience with its cutting-edge technology and personalized services.

The popular denim brand globally, has been expanding its footprint in India through Ace Turtle's omnichannel platform. The platform leverages data to optimize the entire supply chain, from design to manufacturing, resulting in efficient operations and improved customer experiences. As the official licensee for Lee in India, Ace Turtle has been instrumental in driving the brand's growth in the country.

The new flagship store in Bengaluru is expected to be a significant milestone in Lee's expansion strategy and its focus on technology and customization is expected to appeal to a broad range of customers.

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 27 March 2023, Mumbai 

In a momentous event, Eli Bitton, the Israeli fashion house, has launched its flagship store in West Patel Nagar, New Delhi.

The brand's objective was to offer a range of contemporary apparel designs for women, including evening and casual wear, as well as leisure wear. The newly launched 'Brilliant Pop Collection' was among the display of the brand's most promising designs.

Having been in Israel for more than 30 years, the brand has been making efforts to establish its presence in India with unique designs and a range of size options for women. It is noteworthy that Eli Bitton is among the first designer labels to have a dedicated embroidery studio. The collection includes a variety of ready-to-wear, including embroidered evening gowns, mini dresses, lehengas, and other contemporary apparel.

The launch of Eli Bitton's flagship store in India is a significant step towards achieving its objective of offering unique designs and contemporary apparel options for women.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the brand expanded its design departments to cater to a more extensive audience, with considerable growth in sales observed in the casual-wear and leisure suit section.

Eli Bitton is now planning to open more outlets in India, particularly in Delhi, while maintaining the quality and exclusivity of its designs. With these expansion plans, the brand is set to become a significant player in the Indian fashion industry.

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30 March 2023, Mumbai 

Indian retailers are expected to lease 5-6 million sq ft of space in 2023, almost reaching pre-COVID levels of 2019, according to property consultant CBRE.

Fashion and apparel, homeware, and department stores are expected to lead the leasing activity as they look to open more stores this year to overcompensate for slow expansion during the first two pandemic years.

Top companies including Reliance Retail, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, D'Mart, Tata's Trent, and Starbucks continue to add stores, while many brands are in search of bigger spaces. Retailers in India leased almost 4.7 million square feet of space across top cities in 2022. CBRE predicts that India’s strong domestic consumption will continue to strengthen the retail sector, which will see a strong supply pipeline in 2023, driving leasing activity.

Retailers are increasing store size by 30-40%, and some have even doubled their store size to give shoppers a better experience despite rising rentals. Consumers are increasingly looking for unique experiences, and retailers are adopting innovative concepts to draw crowds. The trend is mostly prevalent among food and beverage retailers, but other categories are also likely to adopt this approach to expand their footprint and existing customer base.

Indian consumers have remained confident about their personal economic situation despite the current global outlook, and although household spending has held up so far, consumers are likely to keep a close eye on inflationary pressures and their impact on commodity prices going forward.

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05 April 2023, Mumbai

Zodiac, a leading fashion brand, has launched its summer collection with Linen fabric, recognized as the world's strongest natural fiber.

The summer collection's color palette reflects the mesmerizing sight of Positano, a quaint town situated at the Amalfi Coast on the Italian Riviera. The collection features beige, pink, yellow, and terra cotta colors, reminiscent of the town's cascading houses on the hillside to the crystal blue Mediterranean waters.

The Linen shirts become more comfortable with every wash and wear, and the sophisticated, naturally wrinkled appearance adds to the elegance of the summer look. The collection is available in a wide range of solids, stripes, and checks in both short and long sleeves and can be paired with ZODIAC Linen Jackets, Trousers, and Bandhgalas for a very sophisticated ensemble.

Linen, woven from the stem of the Flax plant, is one of the oldest fibers used in textile weaving. The unique weave of the Linen fabric ensures air moves freely, making it an ideal summer garment.

Zodiac uses Linen that is woven from Flax grown in the Normandy region of France, known for its exceptional quality. The soil and climatic conditions of this region, coupled with generations of expertise inherited by the local Flax growers, result in taller, more slender flax plants, which produce high-quality Linen fabric.

Salman Noorani, Vice Chairman & M.D. of ZCCL, commented on the launch, saying, "For almost two decades, we have brought to the discerning Indian male arguably the finest collection of ready-to-wear Linen. In fact, our customers make it a point to refresh their summer wardrobe every year given the harsh temperatures that we see across India."

The Zodiac summer collection is now available in stores and online, offering a luxurious yet comfortable wardrobe option for the hot summer months.

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 29 March 2023, Mumbai 

Luxury fashion brand Dior is set to make history by holding its pre-fall 2023 show at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

The show, which will take place on March 30, marks the first time a major European luxury brand has held an official calendar show in India. The collection will feature stunning evening coats, silk dresses, and skirts inspired by desi silhouettes, according to a report by Business of Fashion.

The show is a collaboration between Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative director of Dior, and Mumbai-based atelier Chanakya School Of Craft, which celebrates India’s embroidery culture and empowers women artisans.

India is a prime market for fashion brands due to its young population, with 65% of people under the age of 35, and a growing number of millionaires. The country’s digital revolution has made luxury brands more accessible to affluent fashionistas in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, resulting in a boost in sales for international luxury companies. The Euromonitor predicts that the Indian luxury market will grow from $5.9 billion in 2022 to $6.1 billion in 2023.

Dior has a long history with India, having been inspired by the country’s intricate embroidery for its autumn-winter 1955 haute couture collection. The off-white dress with patterns of gold and peacock motifs, known as ‘Soiree de Lahore’, is vintage elegance personified and featured a shoulder drape inspired by the Indian pallu.

Dior’s decision to hold a standalone show in India highlights the commitment to empowering women artisans and celebrating India’s rich embroidery culture.

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24 March 2023, Mumbai 

Luxury clothing brand Anita Dongre has announced that it will open a flagship store in Dubai Mall to showcase its full selection of ethnic and fusion wear.

The 1,600 square foot space will be the brand’s second international address and will cater to the significant Indian diaspora in Dubai. The store will feature a range of clothing suitable for everyone, including a special line for Ramadan, dedicated to the Middle Eastern woman. The store will also showcase the brand’s newly launched range of vegan accessories.

The store will house the brand’s occasion wear and ready-to-wear collections, including its new line of kaftans, for which Dongre recently shot a campaign in Dubai. The store will feature hand-painted panels by a Pichhwai artist in Rajasthan and is designed to evoke the rich heritage of Dongre’s home state.

The brand is looking to expand further into the UAE region. With the opening of its Dubai Mall store, the brand hopes to take time to understand and listen to its consumers in Dubai and the wider Middle Eastern market.

The Dubai Mall is home to luxury brands from around the world, making it an ideal location for the Anita Dongre flagship store. The brand’s focus on catering to the unique needs of the Middle Eastern woman, particularly during Ramadan, is likely to attract significant attention from shoppers in the region.

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