Sportswear brand TechnoSports has launched its first flagship store in Coimbatore. Designed for a premium hands-on shopping experience, the store features a full range of performance wear and athleisure including T-shirts, track pants, jackets and sweatshirts, priced in the range of Rs 299-Rs 800. The store also features informative displays emphasising on the technological innovations that distinguish the brand.

Particular about maintaining the sustainability of its operations, TechnoSports makes its products in zero liquid discharge facilities, where they recover and recycle 95 per cent of waste water. The brand operates its factories on wind and solar energy and aims ultimately move towards zero coal. It also aims to minimise its carbon footprint. The brand’s products are currently available in 5,000 MBOs across India and it aims to launch a mix of flagship outlets, high-street and mall stores and shop-in-shops at sports destinations.

From furniture giant to community hub, IKEA is reimagining the retail landscape in India with its ‘Lykli’ brand, signalling a significant shift in the company's strategy and investment approach. The Swedish furniture giant is not just setting up stores in India; it's building an entire ecosystems. Moving beyond its traditional big-box stores, the company, through its Ingka centres, is investing heavily in creating ‘meeting places’ or vibrant hubs that combine retail, dining, entertainment, and community spaces. This strategy is evident in their latest announcement: a Rs 5,500 crore investment in a second ‘Lykli’ or branded ‘meeting place’ in Noida.

Lykli, more than just shopping

Lykli, a concept developed by Ingka Centres (part of the Ingka Group, which also owns IKEA Retail), reimagines the traditional shopping mall as a vibrant community hub. Lykli, is derived from the Swedish word for ‘happy’ that embodies IKEA's vision for these spaces. These ‘meeting places’ will offer a mix of experiences.

The Noida project, slated to open in a few years, follows the announcement of Lykli Gurugram, a €400 million (around Rs 3,500 crore) investment. Both locations will feature an IKEA store as an anchor offering the familiar range of affordable and well-designed furniture and home furnishings. There will be a curated selection of both international and local brands catering to various needs and tastes.

What’s more it also has a restaurant that offers diverse dining options, from quick bites to fine dining experiences. Then there are co-working spaces for professionals and entertainment options for families and spaces for events, exhibitions, and activities that celebrate local culture and community.

Spread across 47,833 sq. mt the Lykli in Noida, will be one of the largest retail projects in the Delhi NCR region. It is expected to generate over 9,000 jobs and aims at over 25 million visitors annually.

Besides Lykli, IKEA is now has a multi-format approach in India. It has large-format stores currently operational in Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Then there are city stores that are smaller in size but focused on specific product categories and services, like the one in Mumbai. IKEA also has an online presence in India this is to rapidly to reach customers beyond physical store locations.

A new era of retail

Lykli showcases a significant evolution in IKEA's approach to retail, moving beyond just selling furniture to creating holistic destinations that foster community interaction and cater to the evolving needs of urban residents. This strategy aligns with the growing trend of mixed-use developments that combine retail, entertainment, and community spaces. While Lykli is a new concept in India, Ingka Centres has a proven track record of developing successful meeting places globally.

IKEA has already tested this concept in other places. For example Livat located in Hammersmith, London is a meeting place that revitalized a previously declining shopping center by adding a cinema, a library, and community spaces. Wuhan Livat in China features a rooftop farm, promoting sustainable practices and engaging the local community.

With the Lykli projects and its multi-format strategy, IKEA is aiming to be a significant player in India's retail sector. By creating spaces that resonate with local communities and prioritize sustainability, the company is not just selling furniture; it's building lasting relationships with Indian consumers.

Launching its ‘Gifts of Love’ theme and logo, omni-channel fashion, beauty, and gifting retailer Shoppers Stop organised a runway show to present its new festive collection for 2024. The collection offers a mix of traditional and western style occasion wear.

Organised by Mark Robinson, Show Director and styled by celebrity stylist Edward Lalrempuia, the show presented sequinned cocktail dresses and embroidered lehengas for women and smart casual and streetwear inspired looks for men, designed to take the wearer from pujas to parties.  

An ultimate gifting and fashion destination, Shoppers Stop is looked upon by customers for inspiration, trends and value across a wide range of categories, says Kavindra Mishra, Managing Director and CEO. The retailer offers a wide range of fashion products from best of the brands across multiple categories. It also ensures a seamless shopping experience, reflecting its commitment to customer first approach, adds Mishra.  

Besides a brick-and-mortar network of 112 department stores across over 50 Indian cities, Shoppers Stop also retails from its e-commerce store and operates 16 premium home concept stores, 87 specialty beauty stores and 20 airport stores.

Recognised widely for its unique fusion wear, apparel brand Jisora has ventured into kidswear by launching a new collection for girls that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary trends.

Catering to the needs to modern-day kids, the new collection offers a varied range including printed dresses and coordinated sets. Each of these apparel pieces are created with soft, breathable fabrics to ensure all-day comfort and allow kids to move freely.

Blending tradition with modernity, the collection is designed in vibrant colors with intricate patterns, and delicate details to cater to a wide age range. It is available in sizes suitable for toddlers up to pre-teens, making it an ideal choice for growing children.

Designed with the same level of care and attention accorded to women’s wear, the collection offers comfortable and stylish clothing options for kids, shares Kavya Sethi, Co-founder, Jisora.

Available on the brand’s official website, the collection provides parents with versatile options that help their kids seamlessly transition from casual outings to festive celebrations.

A recent report by JLL reveals that North India will dominate retail supply in Tier II and III cities, accounting for 44 per cent of the upcoming retail developments over the next five years. Key cities driving this growth include Ludhiana, Jaipur, and Lucknow.

The report highlights the addition of 25 million sq ft of new retail space in these cities, driven by rising consumer demand and the availability of land. Samantak Das, Chief Economist at JLL India, noted that both established and emerging developers are behind this surge in supply.

Four large mall projects, each with over 1 million sq ft of leasable space, are among the developments expected. Retailer confidence in these markets has grown due to high-quality projects from reputed developers. Bridge-to-luxury and premium brands are also expanding into these cities, responding to evolving consumer preferences.

Rahul Arora, Head of Retail Services at JLL India, noted that leading developers have acquired land in cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Mohali. Institutional investors are also focusing on these emerging areas, with growing investments in retail spaces outside traditional metro hubs like Delhi NCR and Mumbai.

Every year, as the festive season nears a battle royal brews up between online and offline retailers. E-commerce majors like Amazon and Flipkart launch their festive sales weeks in advance, offering deep discounts and tempting deals. This raises a crucial question: are these early online sales cannibalizing offline sales that traditionally peak closer to Diwali?

As per RedSeer Consulting estimates online festive sales in 2023 reached a $15.2 billion. For 2024, projections are even higher, and some analysts predict the figure will cross $18 billion. While the online fashion and apparel segment contributes significantly to this growth, precise figures are difficult to isolate. We are seeing a definite trend of consumers starting their festive shopping earlier, drawn by the attractive online deals," says Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI). "This inevitably impacts footfalls and sales in brick-and-mortar stores closer to the actual festival."

Meanwhile e-commerce platforms have reported significant year-on-year growth in festive sales. Flipkart, for instance, claimed a 330 million user visit during the first two days of its Big Billion Days sale in 2024. Meesho reported a 100 per cent increase in sales compared to the previous year.

Shifting market share

Indeed, the impact of early e-commerce sales on the overall market size is a complex issue. While some argue it simply shifts sales from offline to online, others believe it expands the overall market by encouraging early purchases.

"Early discounts create a sense of urgency and excitement, prompting consumers to buy items they may not have otherwise purchased," says Satish Meena, an e-commerce analyst. "This can lead to an overall increase in spending during the festive season." However, for traditional brick-and-mortar stores, especially smaller retailers, the early online onslaught poses a significant challenge. They often lack the resources to match the deep discounts offered by e-commerce giants, leading to a potential loss in sales.

The lines between online and offline are blurring. Many brands now adopt an omnichannel strategy, integrating both online and offline channels. This trend is likely to continue, with increased personalization. E-commerce platforms will leverage data to offer personalized deals and recommendations, further enticing customers. And offline stores will focus on providing unique experiences to draw customers back in, emphasizing personalized service, exclusive products, and engaging events.

While the impact of early e-commerce discounts on offline sales is undeniable, the extent of the impact remains debated. The festive season is undoubtedly becoming increasingly digital. Both online and offline players will need to adapt and innovate to thrive in this evolving landscape.

As a part of its 130th anniversary celebrations, footwear brand Bata India inaugurated its new cutting-edge headquarters building in Millennium City, Gurugram.

Reinforcing the brand’s commitment to sustainability and modern innovation, Bata’s new office building is designed around the concept of ‘Blue-Sky Thinking.’ The complex reflects the brand’s transformation into an eco-conscious and forward-thinking organisation, aiming to set new standards for corporate spaces in India. Armed with both Platinum LEED Grade-A and GRIHA certifications, the building also reaffirms the brand’s leadership position in sustainable workplace design.

Encouraging limitless creativity and innovation, the office building offers many modern amenities such as wellness rooms, a library, and open creative spaces to enhance employee well-being and productivity. The office building is also equipped with smart technology, including interactive digital screens and facial recognition access, streamlining both operations and efficiency.

The hot desking feature at the building helps promote a dynamic and collaborative environment, enabling flexible team interactions. With sustainability as the key focus of its design, around 33 percent of the building benefits from natural light, as well as features like water recycling systems and solar power integration. The brand’s use of low-VOC paints helps Bata not only reduce its ecological footprint but also enhance the work environment and promote sustainable business practices.

Gunjan Shah, Managing Director & CEO, Bata India, says, titled, ‘Project Blue Sky,’the building reflects Bata India’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and employee well-being. It merges smart technology with eco-conscious design to transform the brand’s overall working pattern.

Having just launched its 17th brick-and-mortar store in India in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, plus size clothing brand Big Hello plans to launch another store at Kompally in Hyderabad.

Vishnu Prasad, Founder, Absolute Brands and Retail, the parent company of Big Hello, says, the brand has ambitious expansion plans to launch 50 new stores within the next year. Based in Bengaluru, South India, the brand also operates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Guntur.  

Catering to men and women, Big Hello’s new store in Visakhapatnam retails a mix of ethnic and western style plus size apparel for formal and casual occasions.

As India gears up for an unprecedented wedding season, with a projected 35 lakh weddings set to take place between November and mid-December, the fashion and apparel industry is abuzz with anticipation. With an estimated expenditure of Rs 4.25 lakh crore, this wedding extravaganza presents a golden opportunity for the industry to showcase its creativity and capitalize on the surging demand for bridal and festive wear.

A fashion fiesta

Indian weddings are renowned for their grandeur and opulence, and the attire plays a central role in these celebrations. From the resplendent bridal lehengas and ornate sherwanis to the elegant saris and stylish suits, every wedding guest seeks to make a statement with their attire. The upcoming wedding season is expected to witness a rise in demand for traditional and contemporary designs, with a focus on exquisite craftsmanship and luxurious fabrics. The projected increase in weddings is expected to translate into a significant boost for the fashion and apparel industry. Retailers, designers, and artisans are anticipating a boost in demand for wedding wear, accessories, and jewelry. Runway shows and exclusive exhibitions are showcasing latest trends in bridal and festive wear, with an emphasis on personalization and customization. E-commerce platforms are also gearing up to cater to the growing online market, offering a wide range of options for customers across the country.

The wedding season's impact extends beyond the main event. The months leading up to the wedding are filled with pre-wedding celebrations, such as engagement parties, sangeet ceremonies, and mehendi events. Each of these occasions calls for special outfits, further resulting in demand for fashion and apparel. And the wedding boom is expected to benefit not only the fashion industry but also related sectors such as textiles, handicrafts, and jewelry. The increased demand for these products is likely to create employment opportunities. In fact, the wedding boom is expected to have a significant impact on the Indian economy. Increased consumer spending will boost sales and revenue for retailers, designers, and manufacturers. The growth in demand will also create employment opportunities in the sector, contributing to the overall economic development of the country.

Overall the upcoming wedding season in India promises to be a grand spectacle, with the fashion and apparel industry playing a pivotal role in its success. With an estimated expenditure of Rs 4.25 lakh crore, the wedding boom is expected to drive significant growth in the sector, creating opportunities for businesses and contributing to the overall economic prosperity of the country. As the wedding bells ring, the fashion industry is ready to shine and make this season a memorable one for everyone involved.

Designer and entrepreneur Anamika Khanna’s ready-to-wear brand AK | OK organised a 30-minute play with eight performers on Oct 03, 2024 at The White Crow in Jio World Drive, Mumbai.

Showcasing the brand’s latest light and fusion style designs, the play aimed to the brand’s connection with its core audience. It strived to create a memorable, emotional connection with every woman dressed in the brand’s garments.

Featuring eight characters sitting around the dining table, the play explored their friendship. It reflected on the memories shared by these friends during a decade of their friendship. The play’s cast included Nakul Sahdev, Zayn Marie, Aditi Mittal, Muskaan Bisaria, Himika Bose, Kamakshi Bhat, Rytasha Rathore, and Sehban Azim. It showcased the brand’s garments in a new light strengthening its connections with the art world.