28 January 2025, Mumbai

Emerging fashion designer Harsh Vardhan Jalan has partnered with Liva Fabrics, the premium brand from Birla Cellulose, to present a sustainable couture collection that blends tradition, innovation, and environmental consciousness. Named ‘Prana,’ inspired by the ancient Indian concept of vital life force, the collection explores the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.

The designs incorporate innovative materials like repurposed fish scales and showcase traditional techniques such as crochet, embroidery, and distressed yarn weaving. These methods create bold, surreal silhouettes that honor cultural heritage while embracing modern aesthetics. The collection emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the enduring spirit of nature.

Sree Charan, Vice President Marketing and Global Head of Brands at Birla Cellulose, commented, “At Liva, sustainability drives creativity. Our collaboration with Harsh Vardhan Jalan showcases how nature, fashion, and artistry can unite in perfect synergy, delivering unparalleled design excellence.”

The color palette of the collection reflects the cycle of life, death, and renewal, drawing inspiration from trees and their timeless journey. Harsh Vardhan Jalan added, “Prana is personal to me, it symbolizes the flow of life connecting every being. This collection blends sustainable materials with modern aesthetics, representing our shared commitment to the planet.”

Fusing luxury fashion with sustainability, the collection exemplifies eco-friendly innovation and craftsmanship. It redefines conscious luxury, offering a meaningful change in the world of fashion.

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28 January 2025, Mumbai

Groyyo, Asia’s fastest-growing manufacturing tech and consulting company, has become EBITDA positive, marking a key step toward sustainable profitability. This milestone reflects the company’s strategic focus on design-led exports, operational excellence, and innovative supply chain solutions.

Exporting over 90 per cent of its output to global clients like Next, Mango, Inditex, Ross, and Bestseller Group, Groyyo leverages its in-house Design Studio to deliver tailored, high-quality designs, establishing a competitive edge in international markets.

Groyyo Consulting has upgraded partner factories into ‘Groyyo Standard’ facilities by implementing advanced technology and compliance frameworks. Some of these factories are solar-powered, aligning with global efficiency and sustainability standards.

The company is on track to achieve an annual run rate of Rs 450-500 crore by FY25, driven by its robust growth and 20 per cent gross profit margins.

SubinMitra, CEO and Co-founder, stated, “Becoming EBITDA positive validates our business model and fuels our vision to be a trusted partner in the global supply chain ecosystem.”

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27 January 2025, Mumbai

The Indian apparel retail industry is on tenterhooks awaiting the Union Budget 2025-26, hoping for measures to revitalize the sector amidst slowing demand and global economic uncertainties. With the Budget to be announced on February 1, industry leaders have voiced their expectations, focusing on key areas like taxation, GST rationalization, and support for domestic manufacturing.

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Boosting consumer demand and spending

A primary concern is boosting consumer demand. As Nishant Poddar, CMO of Universal Sportsbiz (WROGN), points out, income tax reforms are a welcome move to ease the financial strain on the middle class, leading to higher disposable income and spending. As per him, the Budget lays a promising foundation for the retail industry's growth. By focusing on affordability, rural development, and sustainable practices, we can align our strategies with evolving consumer needs.

This sentiment is echoed by Satyen Momaya, CEO, Celio India, who urges the government to boost consumer demand by reducing individual income tax and interest rates. Jaiwant Singh Dhingra, Director, Numero Uno anticipates a Bbudget that supports the goal of India being a center for premium, eco-friendly fashion.

Adding to this, Alok Dubey, CEO of Lifestyle Brands at Reliance Retail, emphasizes the need for measures that enhance consumer spending power. He hopes the Budget will focus on increasing disposable incomes, which will drive consumption and boost the retail sector. This highlights the direct correlation between consumer spending and the overall health of the retail industry.

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GST rationalization and its impact

GST rationalization is another key demand. Poddar explains that a reduction in GST rates on mass-consumption products, including apparel, has the potential to drive demand. He believes this will make fashion more accessible, especially in the value segment. Momaya suggests retaining the current GST slabs, especially for products priced at Rs 1,000 and above, to support the apparel and lifestyle retail segment.

And Shyam Prasad, Co-Founder and CEO, Brand Studio Lifestyle, points out that a lower tax rate for new manufacturing units can open up more opportunities in India's apparel sector. With the right support, the industry can continue to set global benchmarks in fashion while contributing significantly to the nation's economy.

Dilip Kapur, President of the Leather Goods and Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Association of India, adds another dimension to the GST debate, stating that a uniform GST rate across all apparel categories will simplify the tax structure and reduce compliance burdens. This suggests a need for streamlining the GST framework for the industry.

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Supporting domestic manufacturing and sustainability

The industry is also looking for support in domestic manufacturing and sustainability. Poddar highlights the potential of expanding the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to consumer goods, stating that it supports the availability of affordable, locally made products.

Radhika Koolwal, Co-founder of Urban Space, hopes for policies that incentivize domestic manufacturing, such as subsidies on raw materials and machinery, along with tax breaks for MSMEs and startups. She also expects initiatives that encourage sustainable practices, including "tax benefits for brands adopting eco-friendly production processes."

Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), stresses the importance of supporting the 'Make in India' initiative. He says, "The government should provide incentives for manufacturing units to adopt advanced technology and automation, which will improve efficiency and competitiveness." He says, "The government should provide incentives for manufacturing units to adopt advanced technology and automation, which will improve efficiency and competitiveness."

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Addressing sector-specific challenges

Shamsher Dewan, Senior VP at ICRA, points out the challenges being faced by the textile industry, including "sluggish global demand, supply chain issues, and competition from neighboring countries." He expects the Budget to focus on measures supporting the MSME sector, job creation, and skill development.

Ramesh Agarwal, Director at Rupa & Co., highlights the need to boost cotton production, which has declined by 18 percent over the past decade. He advocates for the launch of Technology Mission on Cotton II (TMC II) to revitalize the sector.

The government aims to achieve a $350 billion textile market size, including $100 billion in exports, by 2030. The Indian apparel market is estimated to be worth $70 billion in 2025. Online fashion retail is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25 per cent between 2023 and 2028.

What’s more, 60 new shopping malls are expected to become operational in India between 2023 and 2025.

Indeed, the apparel retail industry has high hopes for the Union Budget 2025-26. By addressing key concerns like taxation, GST rates, and support for domestic manufacturing and sustainability, the government can stimulate growth, boost consumer demand, and strengthen India's position as a global player in the apparel and fashion sector.

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28 January 2025, Mumbai

Expanding its franchise brick-and-mortar footprint across India, footwear brand VKC Group plans to reach a store count of 2,000 outlets by FY2028. The Kerala-based brand also plans to expand its product offering beyond footwear to include select garments and accessories.

VKC Group aims to be the premiere brand having a large number of retail outlets across the country, says VKC Razak, Managing Director. The group also plans to expand its product range to include accessories such as belts, socks and wallets. It will source these products from external manufacturers. The brand also aims diversify its offerings by launching a sustainable product range online, and catering to rising demand for sustainable products from consumers.

The group will focus on catering to the demands of customers prioritizing recyclability and eco-friendliness, says Razak. This will be done by introducing such products on e-commerce platforms. However, the company may not make these products accessible to the mass market due to the higher cost of raw materials and the associated production costs.

Along with its India operations, VKC Group also exports its footwear to around 18 countries globally.

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27 January 2025, Mumbai

Reliance Retail is revamping its Centro department stores format. To facilitate this transformation, the company has temporarily closed all existing Centro stores across India. It has also paused all sales and inventory management, requesting brands to retrieve their merchandise and fixtures.

This remodeling initiative aims to prioritize in-house and partner brands, such as Azorte, Yousta, Gap, and Superdry, through a shop-in-shop model. The future of the 450 other local and global brands currently sold at Centro remains uncertain.

Centro was launched in September 2022, following Reliance Retail's acquisition of locations previously operated by Future Group's Central stores. The revamped format has faced competition from other department stores like Dubai-based Lifestyle International and Raheja's Shoppers Stop.

India's retail market growth slowed to 4 per cent last year, following a surge in post-pandemic consumer spending. An operator of 18,946 stores across various categories, Reliance Retail reported a 3.5 per cent revenue decline in its apparel and lifestyle business during the July-September quarter. This decline was attributed to weak demand and a focus on improving margins in the wholesale segment.

The company has also significantly slowed its retail expansion pace, with store closures outnumbering store openings by more than six times in the first half of this fiscal year.

Despite these challenges, Dinesh Taluja, CFO, Reliance Retail, expressed confidence in the company's long-term growth prospects. He highlighted investments in technology and improved design capabilities as key strategies to strengthen the company's market leadership.

The remodeled Centro stores are expected to align with Reliance Retail's broader strategy to leverage its in-house brands and solidify its position in the competitive Indian retail market.

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28 January 2025, Mumbai

Known for his unique and thought-provoking collections, designer Rahul Mishra is set to showcase his latest work, ‘The Pale Blue Dot,’ at Paris Haute Couture Week.

This marks his eleventh season since his 2019 debut, an event he approaches with the same excitement each time. The collection is inspired by Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot, which stemmed from Voyager 1's iconic image of Earth as a tiny speck of light, captured in 1990 as the spacecraft departed our solar system.

Creating this collection was particularly challenging for the designer, as he recently experienced the loss of his father. He credits his team and his wife, Divya, with providing the support he needed to complete the project during a period of profound grief.

Deeply resonated by Sagan’s words, Mishra shapes his vision of a world after humanity's departure. Exploring this theme, the collection incorporates influences from concrete structures and scavengers.

Offering a preview of his collection, Mishra highlights his concern for the planet's future. He expresses deep concerns about environmental issues like glacier melt and global warming, stating his belief that we are living in a ‘gas chamber.’ His collection serves as a visual representation of how cities might appear in the near future, depicting nature reclaiming abandoned spaces.

The collection will feature approximately 50 looks, each a testament to intricate craftsmanship. One design showcases detailed embroidery of the Tree of Life merging with a uterus, symbolizing the connection between nature and new life.

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28 January 2025, Mumbai

Fuelled by a rise in disposable incomes, increased number of wedding days and favorable monsoon seasons boosting demand, particularly in smaller cities, India's fashion and apparel industry is expected to rebound in FY26, as per a report by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra).

As per the report, the retail landscape in India will witness significant shifts. Driven by the growing influence of Gen Z on consumption patterns, organized retail will continue to gain market share with fast fashion, ethnic wear, and luxury outperforming other categories.

Social media's impact and Gen-Z's desire for trendy, fast-turnaround clothing are driving explosive growth in fast fashion. Major retailers are expanding their store counts in this category, with similar growth expected in FY26. The return of players like Shein and increased investments in India's manufacturing capabilities are positioning India as a key hub for both domestic and international fashion, says Ankit Jaipuria, Co-founder, Zyod.

Ethnic wear and luxury categories are also gaining popularity, driven by rising affluence and aspirations among middle- and upper-class consumers. Fueled by increasing internet penetration, e-commerce is projected to grow faster than brick-and-mortar stores, although physical retail remains important for its experiential value, especially for premium purchases.

Retailers are adopting a cautious expansion strategy, focusing on store productivity and cost optimization. EBITDA margins are expected to remain stable in FY25, with improvements anticipated in FY26 as companies become more efficient. Adaptability, balancing efficiency with flexibility, sustainability with scalability, and speed with quality, will be crucial for success.

Driven by fast fashion and premium segments, revenues are projected to grow by 10.5 per cent in FY26, positioning the Indian fashion industry for a transformative phase, balancing innovation, scalability, and consumer desires.

Ind-Ra forecasts neutral credit metrics for FY25, supported by steady profitability and controlled capital expenditure, with improvements expected in FY26. Elevated inventory levels, however, pose a risk of obsolescence, requiring retailers to maintain efficient inventory management. Advertising and promotional spending is projected to remain in the 2.5-3.0 per cent range. Some retailers are investing heavily in brand elevation and consumer engagement, while others are scaling back.

Favorable IPO and QIP fundraising prospects are expected to strengthen equity bases, providing financial resilience. The FY26 recovery is predicted to be driven by improved consumer financial health, increased wedding-related demand, and expansion in organized retail formats like fast fashion, luxury, and ethnic wear.

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27 January 2025, Mumbai

Lulu Oman launched the vibrant 'India Utsav 2025' on January 26, coinciding with India’s 76th Republic Day. The week-long celebration runs until February 2 across all Lulu Hypermarkets in Oman, spotlighting India’s rich culture, heritage, and cuisine.

The event was inaugurated at Lulu Darsait by HE Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to Oman, along with Indian community representatives and Lulu dignitaries.

Customers can explore authentic Indian experiences across categories, from fresh produce and groceries to fashion and home furnishings. Highlights include exclusive Indian products, organic fruits, millets, and plant-based protein options. Shoppers can enjoy traditional Indian sweets, snacks, and street food delicacies at special stalls, with complimentary food samples enhancing the festive spirit.

HE Amit Narang praised Lulu’s initiative, emphasizing its role in strengthening cultural and trade ties between India and Oman. Shabeer KA, Regional Director of Lulu Hypermarkets Oman, reiterated the festival’s aim to celebrate Indian diversity and foster bilateral relations.

Exclusive online promotions, along with discounts on home appliances and other products, add to the festival’s appeal. 'India Utsav 2025' offers a memorable journey through Indian culture, flavors, and traditions, making it a must-visit event for shoppers.

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28 January 2025, Mumbai

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) convened a roundtable discussion with top global apparel brands on January 23, 2025, at The Oberoi, New Delhi. The meeting, chaired by Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, focused on strategies to achieve $40 billion in RMG exports by 2030. Sudhir Sekhri, AEPC Chairman, presided over the session.

Prominent industry leaders, including Premal Udani, Chairman EP, Mithileshwar Thakur, SG AEPC, and representatives from Shahi Exports, Richa Global, and Jyoti Apparels, shared insights alongside brands like Tendam, Superdry, JCPenney, and Liverpool India.

Kansal emphasized India’s favorable investment climate, bolstered by state incentives and initiatives like PM MITRA Parks. He urged global brands to actively participate in Bharat Tex 2025, highlighting its role in boosting India’s textile exports.

Chairman Sekhri stressed the need for industry reforms, including labor law amendments, skilling programs, and flexible fabric import policies, to handle growing export demands.

Brand leaders identified India’s design expertise and raw material base as key strengths, advocating for increased focus on value-added products, automation, and faster logistics. They highlighted sweaters as a rising export category, with 11.45 million units exported in FY 2024-25 (April-November).

Industry gaps such as skilled labor shortages and insufficient processing units were underscored. Brands called for incentives to build capacity and enhance India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

AEPC Secretary General Thakur noted consistent double-digit growth, crediting FTAs, improved global compliances, and initiatives like Bharat Tex for enhancing India’s brand image.

The meeting concluded with optimism about India’s export potential, as brands acknowledged the country’s readiness to seize global opportunities.

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27 January 2025, Mumbai

The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has unveiled its 57th Retail Business Survey, showing a 5 per cent growth in retail sales during 2–29 December 2024 compared to the same festive period last year.

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Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, highlighted inflation and EMI obligations as factors curbing discretionary spending. “The wedding season boosted categories like apparel and jewellery, while Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) show early recovery signs, offering optimism. With the Union Budget approaching, the industry hopes for measures to address inflation and revive consumer confidence,” he said.

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Regionally, South India led with a 6 per cent sales growth, followed by West and North India at 5 per cent each. East India lagged with a 4 per cent increase.

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QSR emerged as the fastest-growing segment with a 10 per cent surge, driven by improving demand. Apparel, food & grocery, and sports goods recorded a 7 per cent growth each compared to December 2023.

RAI's findings underline the challenges and potential in India's retail landscape, emphasizing a cautious yet hopeful outlook for 2025.

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27 January 2025, Mumbai

A leading platform for the Indian fashion industry, The India Fashion Forum (IFF) will return to stage on January 28-29, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Whitefield in Bengaluru. The event’s theme this year, ‘India Fashion Collaboration: From Peers to Partners,’ will focus on fostering strategic partnerships to drive innovation, sustainability, and collective success within the dynamic fashion landscape.

With over 500 brands, 300+ industry experts, 100+ exhibitors, and 1,500+ attendees expected, IFF 2025 promises to be a vibrant hub for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth.

The event will explore collaborative approaches to integrate sustainable practices across the entire fashion value chain. Further, it will leverage technology to deliver seamless and personalized customer experiences. The event will also enable brands to build alliances to adapt and thrive in this competitive market.

The event will feature an "Open House" session, providing insights from leading fashion and lifestyle retailers on strategies for exclusive product launches supported by innovative marketing campaigns, tailored offerings based on deep consumer insights and regional preferences, e-commerce partnerships to enhance visibility and achieve omnichannel excellence, collaborative solutions to supply chain challenges for consistent customer satisfaction and unique retail experiences that drive engagement and brand loyalty.

Vishak Kumar, CEO, Madura Fashion & Lifestyle and Director, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, will chair the forum. With his extensive industry experience, Kumar will provide invaluable guidance and insights.

Since its inception in 2000, IFF has played a crucial role in catalyzing growth and innovation within the Indian fashion sector. As the industry continues to evolve, IFF 2025 offers a unique platform for industry leaders to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of fashion in India.

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