Prominent Indian apparel and retail powerhouse, Arvind Fashions’ net profit rose tenfold to Rs 13 crore in Q1 FY26, as compared to just Rs 1 crore in the same period last year.

The company’s revenues increased by 16 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 1,107 crore from Rs 955 crore in Q1 FY25. This significant growth was fueled by strong traction across all sales channels, underscoring the company's effective market strategies.

A pivotal factor in this outstanding performance was the continued expansion of its direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels. The company saw an 8.1 per cent like-to-like (LTL) sales growth, complemented by over 30 per cent growth in its online B2C segment. This highlights a successful shift towards consumer-centric digital engagement.

Gross margins expanded by 60 basis points to 55.9 per cent, a testament to more disciplined pricing and reduced discounting. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) rose by 20.3 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 148 crore, with margins improving by 50 basis points to 13.4 per cent. This margin expansion occurred despite a strategic 140 basis points increase in advertising spend, indicating that marketing investments are yielding strong returns. The company’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 64.6 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 39 crore in Q1 FY26.

Shailesh Chaturvedi, Managing Director & CEO, Arvind Fashions, avers, Q1 FY26 witnessed a bright start to this year with revenue growth reaching 16 per cent. This is a testimony of the company’s conscious efforts of investing in higher marketing to re-energize their industry-leading brands, leading to strong awareness and higher footfalls along with market share gains. Moving ahead, Arvind Fashions will continue to focus on their direct channel strategy, resulting in higher bottom-line & ROCE, he adds.

India’s leading casual and denim brand, Arvind Fashions boasts a diverse portfolio that includes popular international labels like U.S. Polo Assn., Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Arrow, alongside well-known indigenous brands such as Flying Machine.

Marking a significant step in its global retail expansion, the Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands-owned (ABLBL), Allen Solly has launched its inaugural exclusive store in Dubai.

Located on the second floor of City Centre Deira, the 1,830-sq-ft store launched in collaboration with franchise partner Kalyan Silks.

Jacob John, President, Premium Brands, ABLBL, states, as a leading hub for international fashion and modern retail, ore than a retail destination; this new store is a statement of style, confidence, and the brand’s commitment to dressing modern consumers who value originality, self-expression, and individual style. Dubai offers the perfect stage for the brand’s bold, contemporary aesthetic and smart casual philosophy.

TS Pattabhiraman, Kalyan Silks adds, this new store is likely to become a go-to style destination for the region’s diverse and dynamic fashion lovers as the brand’s British roots, fashion-forward mindset, and focus on comfort make it exceptionally relevant to the Dubai audience.

The Dubai store also serves as the regional launchpad for Allen Solly Women, targeting millennial and Gen Z consumers. This new women’s range features contemporary apparel with an emphasis on functional designs and vibrant color palettes. Offerings include stylish handbags, modern dresses, and versatile separates designed to meet both professional and casual wardrobe needs.

In addition to the women's collection, the store offers a comprehensive range of casual wear for men, including shirts, polos, and joggers, alongside a refined selection of professional attire such such as blazers and formal shirts. Allen Solly’s popular handbags are also prominently featured within the store.

This store opening reflects ABLBL’s ongoing strategy to expand the brand's international footprint, seamlessly blending its strong Indian retail legacy with evolving global fashion standards.

Marking a significant step for the design-forward travel gear brand, Eume has opened its first flagship store at Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru. .

Serving as a hub for Eume’s complete product range, the new store features  their popular backpacks, trolleys, and laptop bags, alongside the standout Eume Trunk. The collection highlights India’s first zipperless, 100 per cent aluminum cabin luggage, a product that reinforces Eume’s pioneering position in the high-luxury travel segment.

Naina Parekh, Co-Founder, Eume says, this new store allows customers to feel, explore, and experience travel gear through a bold, elevated lens.

Eume has deployed a transparent mobile showroom and an eye-catching truck gallery that showcase the brand's signature collections. This unique installation traveled through key Bengaluru hubs like Bellandur, Manyata Tech Park, EGL, and CV Raman Nagar, effectively capturing attention and offering an on-the-go preview of Eume’s distinctive brand personality and product craftsmanship.

Founded in 2017 by Naina Parekh and Pranay Parekh, Eume established itself as a digital-first brand, gaining recognition particularly for its innovative massager backpacks. This physical expansion signifies their commitment to providing a more immersive brand experience for consumers.

A direct-to-consumer brand specializing in ethnic and fusion wear, Libas increased its FY24 revenues to $60 million. However, increased spending on advertising and employee benefits led to a 64 per cent decline in the brand’s profits during the same period.

According to financial statements from the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Libas's revenue from operations increased by 38 per cent to $58.44 million in FY24, from $42.24 million in FY23.

Libas is a digital-first women’s ethnic wear brand offering kurtis, salwar suits, dresses, and bottoms in fabrics like cotton, silk, and georgette. The sale of these products was the company's only source of income in FY24.

The growth in scale came with a sharp increase in expenses across the board. The brand’s total expenses rose by 45 per cent to $57.96 million in FY24 from $40.08 million in FY23.

Libas’s material costs remained its largest expense, making up over 61 per cent of total costs, which rose by 41 per cent to $35.52 million. The brand’s advertising expenses increased by 121 per cent to $5.04 million, and employee benefits increased 56 per cent to $3.36 million, while shipping costs totaled $5.88 million.

The sharp spike in advertising and employee costs led to a 64 per cent decline in the brand’s profit, falling to $600,000 in FY24 from $1.68 million in FY23. The company reported a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of 26.32 per cent and an EBITDA margin of 3.06 per cent.

As of March 2024, the Delhi-based company reported current assets of $32.28 million, with inventory alone accounting for $18.48 million. Significantly, its cash and bank balance stood at just $36,000.

According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, Libas has raised $18 million in funding from India Advantage Fund. The company’s co-founders, Sidhant Keshwani and Sunil Keshwan, own 84 per cent of the company.

Libas has got close to $60 million in the women’s ethnicwear market. The brand has its work cut out if it wants to regain better margins. It faces tough choices ahead to ensure it doesn't fizzle out like so many fashion brands be it in terms of exports, an offline presence, or a cutback on advertising,. The good news is that contrary to some opinions, ethnic wear isn't going anywhere soon, as the strength in even saree sales indicates. Top brands have even moved to a premiumization model after building a strong reputation for quality.

Men's lifestyle brand XYXX has launched India’s first seamless vest for men, the ‘Element Invisible Vest.’ Expanding XYXX’s Essential range, this new addition blends technical precision with ultimate comfort.

The launch of the ‘No Show: Invisible Vest helps XYXX address the real need for innerwear that not only performs but also boosts the wearer’s confidence, says  Yogesh Kabra, Founder. The

Vest helps modern Indian man feel more put-together, every day, he adds.

Engineered for a clean, non-restrictive fit, the Invisible Vest is crafted from ultra-soft, breathable super combed cotton, which XYXX claims is twice as soft as regular cotton. Its seamless construction ensures no visible lines, irritation, or bunching, allowing it to be worn smoothly under both formal and casual attire.

This ‘No Show’ vest highlights XYXX’s dedication to innovation-led design and its mission to elevate innerwear for today's Indian consumer. Based in Surat, the brand was launched by Kabra in 2017, according to business intelligence platform Tracxn.

Madame’s latest collection aims to tap into the growing demand for vacation wear. Titled, ‘Be Right Back’ the launch of this new collection aligns with the brand’s focus on seasonal collections that address evolving consumer preferences in travel and casual fashion.

Offering lightweight and breathable clothing options suitable for travel, the BRB range includes dresses, linen co-ord sets, printed cotton shirts, T-shirts, and tropical-inspired designs.

Transitioning across multiple travel and leisure scenarios, the collection caters to consumers seeking functional yet fashionable clothing options.

Sumedha Jain, Head-Marketing, Madame says, designed for women who understand true style, the collection focuses on authenticity and confidence. The apparel pieces in this collection embody carefree vacation mindset while ensuring customers look effortlessly chic whether they're strolling along the beach, enjoying brunch with friends, or exploring a new city. It's fashion that moves with you and adapts to your adventures.

With garments placed in the range of Rs 1,500 and Rs 6,500, the collection is available at Madame’s physical retail stores across India, as well as via its website madameonline.com and other e-commerce platforms.

Homegrown Indian sneaker brand Gully Labs has successfully raised Rs 8.7 crore in a seed funding round to expand its operations and strengthen market presence.

The funding round comprises Rs 7.6 crore in equity and Rs 1.1 crore in venture debt. Zeropearl VC led the equity component, with participation from Untitled Ventures, Atrium Ventures, and a group of prominent angel investors. This latest funding round follows Gully Labs' earlier pre-seed round in 2024, where the brand secured $130,000 (Rs 1.1 crore) in equity.

The newly acquired capital will be strategically invested in expanding the brand’s product portfolio, strengthening its sales channels, and launching exclusive retail stores to support its omnichannel growth strategy.

Founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs has quickly gained recognition for its distinctive sneaker range that seamlessly blend craftsmanship with cultural narratives. The brand specializes in handmade sneakers that fuse premium materials with rich Indian stories. From Phulkari-inspired embroidery to Onam-themed designs, each collection pays homage to diverse traditions through a contemporary fashion lens.

Currently, Gully Labs sells its products through its official website and select partner stores in major Indian metropolitan areas. Looking ahead, the company plans to significantly increase production capabilities, broaden its design range, and strengthen its domestic and global footprint. A key element of this growth strategy involves launching branded retail outlets across key markets.

Marking a significant shift in the brand’s growth journey in India, Swedish home-furnishing giant Ikea is launching compact-format stores designed for urban neighborhoods and smaller cities.

The company is currently in the second phase of its India rollout, with a significant emphasiss on agility and faster market penetration, explains Pooja Grover, Country Expansion Manager, Ikea India These smaller-footprint stores—some as compact as 10,000 sq ft—will slot into neighborhood shopping malls and prime main-street locations.

Each of these outlets will offer access to IKEA’s full catalog of around 7,000 products via in-store digital kiosks. Customers can place orders on the spot and choose home delivery, neighborhood pickup points, or third-party collection services for maximum convenience.

These small-format stores will enable IKEA to scale more rapidly, stay nimble, and establish a presence in malls and high-traffic districts, adds Grover. The company is also in talks with real-estate developers to support this new retail model, he informs.

While Ikea continues to focus on its six core markets including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, and Pune, it has begun scouting opportunities in Tier II and Tier III cities.

The company is gearing up to open new outlets in Gurugram, Noida, Chennai, and Pune. Earlier this year, it also launched online operations in Delhi NCR and nine other cities, complementing its three large-format stores (each over 430,000 sq ft) and its 80,700 sq ft city store in Mumbai.