Navigating a period of strategic refinement, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) is shifting its organizational focus toward high-growth, mass-market segments following the recent demerger of its lifestyle brands business.

As of the fiscal year ending March 2026, the company reported revenue of Rs 8,177 crore, marking an 11 per cent year-on-year growth. This expansion was heavily anchored by the robust performance of the Pantaloons format, which delivered a 19 per cent Y-o-Y revenue increase.

The company is now channeling significant capital into its ‘OWND!’ value-retail brand, which recently crossed the 75-store milestone, to capture the growing demand from Gen-Z consumers in Tier-II and Tier-III urban corridors.

Portfolio optimization for long-term value

Through its recent restructuring, the company aims to achieve operational agility, allowing segments like ethnic wear and ‘TMRW’ - its digital-first fashion platform - to scale independently. Currently reaching an annual revenue scale exceeding Rs 2,200 crore, the company ethnicwear business continues to integrate high-profile designer partnerships with mainstream retail brands like W and Aurelia. Despite industry-wide headwinds in discretionary spending, the company’s emphasis on premiumization and elevated in-store experiences has shielded its market position. Its management remains committed to a disciplined store expansion strategy, having added over 180 locations in the last fiscal year, while simultaneously leveraging omni-channel capabilities to ensure seamless product delivery in an increasingly digitized retail landscape.

A dominant Indian fashion powerhouse, ABFRL manages a comprehensive portfolio ranging from value-fashion retail under Pantaloons and OWND! to premium ethnic wear and designer collaborations. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company operates thousands of stores nationwide, focusing on capturing India’s diverse and growing consumption segments. Currently, ABFRL is undergoing a strategic turnaround to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

BIBA Fashion is boosting its retail transformation by launching a ‘next-generation’ flagship store at the South City Mall in Kolkata. Reflecting the brand’s strategic shift toward experiential retail, this store moves away from traditional inventory-heavy models to a customer-centric environment that blends heritage aesthetics with modern digital convenience. The store’s interior features an elevated layout designed to accommodate BIBA’s expanding portfolio, including its contemporary sub-brand, BIBA NXT, which targets the burgeoning Gen Z and millennial demographic through fusion-heavy silhouettes like corset-style tops and halter-neck kurtas.

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Orchestrating high-velocity retail

The Kolkata expansion is a critical component of BIBA’s objective to reach 530 stores by the end of 2026. By integrating real-time inventory management - powered by advanced SAP systems - the flagship ensures, regional demand for ‘affordable premium’ ethnic wear is met with localized product mixes. The brand focuses on creating a space where the garment, the technology, and the consumer experience converge, noted a brand spokesperson. This localized approach allows the store to manage stockouts more effectively, a persistent challenge in high-traffic hubs, while offering personalized styling services that have become the primary driver of customer retention in the competitive ethnic wear sector.

Responding to the rise of conscious ethnic wear

This store launch coincides with a broader market trend toward ‘wearable luxury,’ where consumers prioritize breathable, high-quality natural fabrics over heavily synthetic alternatives. By prominently featuring its summer-ready cotton collections and sustainable silhouettes, BIBA is successfully defending its market position against the surge of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands. The South City Mall flagship serves as a blueprint for the brand's national rollout, where the synthesis of traditional craftsmanship and digital agility is expected to sustain its double-digit growth trajectory as the company eyes a highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) later in 2026.

Founded in 1988, BIBA is a premier Indian ethnic wear brand offering women’s and girls' apparel. With over 430 stores nationwide, the brand specializes in traditional and fusion wear. BIBA is currently executing an aggressive 100-store expansion plan for 2026, supported by a return to profitability and sustained revenue growth.

Marking a critical transition in the brand’s national expansion strategy, Popees Baby Care has launched its debut North India retail outlet in Chandigarh. Situated in the Sector 30-D Main Market, this new 1,500-plus sq-ft facility serves as the 109^th global store for the Kerala-headquartered brand. By establishing a physical presence in the Tricity region - which encompasses Mohali and Panchkula - the company aims to tap into the growing demand for organized, safety-certified baby and maternity retail in Tier-II urban clusters. This launch is positioned as the primary gateway for a broader northern penetration, with secondary store openings already slated for Zirakpur, Karnal, and Yamuna Nagar.

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Standardizing childcare through retail

The brand’s expansion is underpinned by a rigorous commitment to product safety, characterized by a proprietary 28-stage quality assurance protocol. As parents increasingly prioritize skin-friendly, organic, and bamboo-based textiles over unorganized market alternatives, Popees is capitalizing on this shift by expanding its SKU count to include premium infant accessories and footwear. According to Shaju Thomas, Chairman and Managing Director, the brand aims to transition from a distribution-led model to a retail-first entity, capturing higher margins while fostering direct consumer loyalty. With the company currently navigating a strategic corporate integration - merging its operating business into a listed entity - this retail scaling is central to its efforts to bolster valuation and unify its operational structure ahead of its next phase of growth.

Infant and material essentials specialist

Popees Baby Care is a prominent Indian manufacturer and retailer specializing in infant apparel, maternity essentials, and childcare products. Founded in 2003, the company operates across India and the Middle East. Its growth strategy emphasizes aggressive omnichannel retail expansion and product diversification, supported by a robust financial performance and planned public market integration.

Intensifying its offline presence as part of an ambitious nationwide expansion strategy,denim-led fashion brand, Spykar plans to commission 100 new stores over the next two years. This will help the brand extend its operational footprint beyond 380 outlets.

Through this expansion Spykar aims to target emerging consumption hubs like Simdega, Jharkhand, and Darbhanga, Bihar. This move underscores the company’s intent to tap into the rising disposable incomes and fashion aspirations of Tier-II and Tier-III markets. By prioritizing a mix of high-street and mall-based locations, the brand is effectively mitigating the reliance on saturated metropolitan centers.

Refining the experiential retail philosophy

Featuring a contemporary retail format, the current store rollout is designed to provide a more immersive environment for the modern, style-conscious consumer. Sanjay Vakharia, Co-Founder and CEO, Spykar Lifestyle, emphasizes, despite the rapid digitization of fashion retail, the physical store remains a cornerstone for consumer engagement. In 2026, the brand witnessed a rise in offline expansion across sectors as consumers still value the ability to physically explore products. These new outlets integrate enhanced visual merchandising with a curated display of the brand’s diversified portfolio, which now extends well beyond its core denim heritage to include a full range of casualwear, fashion essentials, and accessories, thereby catering to the evolving lifestyle requirements of India’s youth demographic.

Offering youthful, contemporary styles

Spykar Lifestyle is a denim-first fashion brand founded in 1992, specializing in apparel, footwear, and accessories for men and women. With a focus on youthful, contemporary styles, it targets mid-market and premium segments. The company is currently executing an aggressive retail growth strategy, aiming to reach 380+ stores nationwide.

The conscious children’s wear brand, Ed-a-Mamma is boosting its omnichannel presence by inaugurating eight new EBOs across key metropolitan markets. The brand positions these stores in high-traffic premium malls in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru to strengthen its connection with parents seeking sustainable, high-quality apparel for children. This expansion aligns with a broader retail trend where digital-native brands utilize brick-and-mortar storefronts to foster brand trust and provide tangible experiences for the ‘conscious consumer.’

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Capitalizing on organized children’s wear demand

The decision to expand follows consistent demand for the brand’s natural fabric collections and earth-friendly designs. Unlike fragmented unorganized players, Ed-a-Mamma leverages sophisticated supply chain integration to ensure consistent inventory turnover across its new locations. Industry analysts note, the brand’s current trajectory is supported by a rise in organized retail penetration in the children’s apparel segment, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 15 per cent through 2028. By prioritizing these urban retail clusters, the brand is effectively capturing the shift in consumer spending toward premium, safe-to-wear children's clothing.

Scaling through strategic partnerships

Beyond the new EBOs, the brand is optimizing its presence through strategic shop-in-shop modules with major retail partners. This hybrid approach minimizes operational overhead while maximizing market reach. As the company expands, it remains committed to its mission of promoting eco-conscious lifestyles, with the upcoming store designs incorporating sustainable building materials and interactive zones for children. This focus on experiential retail is expected to strengthen Ed-a-Mamma’s position as a leading contender in the children’s lifestyle segment, ensuring sustained customer acquisition as it eyes national market saturation.

Founded in 2020 by Alia Bhatt, Ed-a-Mamma is a children's wear brand offering sustainable, natural-fabric apparel. Operating +primarily in India, the brand focuses on premium kids' clothing and footwear. Following a strategic partnership with Reliance Retail, the company is aggressively expanding its physical retail footprint and scaling its product categories.

Tata Cliq is set to extend its collaboration with Canadian athletic giant Lululemon with plans to establish physical storefronts across India. This strategic evolution signifies a concerted effort by the Tata Group-backed platform to strengthen its foothold in the high-growth athleisure and premium lifestyle sectors. While the company has historically functioned as a digital-first marketplace, the shift toward an omnichannel model aligns with shifting consumer behavior where luxury and performance-driven apparel demand a tactile, experiential retail environment.

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Elevating the athleisure experience

The move follows a period of robust expansion for Tata Cliq’s lifestyle verticals, with beauty and wellness categories reporting growth rates of 40 per cent-50 per cent in the last fiscal year.

By introducing Lululemon’s premium performance gear - spanning yoga, running, and training apparel - into physical retail, the platform seeks to capture the burgeoning demographic of younger, brand-conscious consumers. According to Gopal Asthana, CEO, Tata Cliq, the brand is witnessing a notable trend where luxury purchasing is no longer restricted to older demographics; shoppers aged 20 to 24 are now significant contributors to the luxury segment, necessitating a more integrated retail approach. The integration of offline stores aims to mirror the premium service standards synonymous with Lululemon’s global presence, utilizing Tata’s localized expertise to manage logistics and community-focused engagement.

Global strategy meets local consumption

This development gets a further boost with the rising prestige of Indian-made premium goods on the international stage. As consumers increasingly prioritize quality and brand heritage, the retail infrastructure is adapting to ensure that premium brands like Lululemon can effectively connect with India’s sophisticated, health-conscious urban population. By leveraging both its digital reach and new physical locations, Tata CLiQ intends to maintain its trajectory as a horizontal fashion and wellness platform, ensuring seamless access to high-end lifestyle products across diverse markets.

Tata Cliq is a prominent Indian horizontal e-commerce platform owned by the Tata Group, specializing in fashion, footwear, beauty, and wellness. It serves a premium consumer base across India, offering curated lifestyle and luxury products. Following a strategic exit from electronics in 2023, the platform is currently focusing on expanding its high-end brand partnerships and omnichannel retail footprint to drive long-term profitability.

Trent Limited has reaffirmed its long-term objective of achieving ten-fold revenue and profitability growth, building upon its momentum since initiating this strategy in 2023. During the company’s recent Annual General Meeting, leadership outlined a roadmap centered on rapid store densification and a multi-brand portfolio approach. The retailer plans to scale its premium fashion format, Westside, from approximately 300 to 700 outlets, while aggressively expanding its value-fashion juggernaut, Zudio, to 5,000 locations. This expansion is supported by a proposed Rs 2,500 crore equity infusion, earmarked for warehouse infrastructure, AI-driven supply chain automation, and advanced data analytics to identify high-potential micro-markets.

Diversification beyond core apparel

While core apparel remains the primary growth driver, Trent is actively incubating new formats like Samoh and Burnt Toast to capture emerging lifestyle categories. Management highlighted that the future of the company lies in a diverse brand ecosystem rather than reliance on any single format. Furthermore, the retail chain is refining its Star Bazaar grocery operations to improve store-level performance, aiming to establish a sustainable model for its food retail segment. Despite minor pressure on like-for-like sales growth during the recent fiscal year-largely attributed to the rapid pace of new store additions - Trent remains confident in its ability to deliver double-digit growth by leveraging its 100 per cent own-brand model and expanding presence in Tier-II and Tier-III urban clusters.

A diversified retailer with a strong financial trajectory

Trent Limited, part of the Tata Group, is a diversified retailer operating fashion, grocery, and lifestyle brands including Westside, Zudio, and Star. With a customer-centric, own-brand strategy, it is rapidly expanding across India and internationally. The company maintains a strong financial trajectory, consistently scaling its physical and digital retail ecosystem.

High-velocity menswear brand, Snitch has officially crossed the 120-store threshold with the inauguration of its latest retail outlet in Ludhiana. This expansion marks a significant step in the brand’s broader push to capture market share in Tier-II and Tier-III regions, where organized retail demand is currently outpacing traditional metropolitan hubs. By establishing a physical footprint in Ludhiana, Snitch is not merely increasing its store count but is actively refining its hyper-local supply chain strategy to cater to the specific stylistic preferences and rapid-trend requirements of regional consumers.

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Data-driven omnichannel integration

The brand’s expansion underscores a sophisticated shift in its retail architecture, moving beyond digital-only operations to create a seamless omnichannel presence. With approximately 40 per cent of its total turnover now generated through physical stores, Snitch leverages these brick-and-mortar locations as localized fulfillment hubs, significantly reducing customer acquisition costs in the surrounding catchment areas. Each new store functions as a data-gathering node, providing the company with real-time insights into consumer behavior that inform its daily trend-drop cycles. This disciplined approach to site selection has been instrumental in the brand’s ability to sustain an 80 per cent Y-o-Y revenue growth, pushing its FY26 performance to the Rs 900 crore mark as it looks toward an ambitious Rs 1,400 crore target for the coming fiscal year0

Scaling through category diversification

While the core of Snitch’s success remains its trend-driven menswear, the brand is increasingly utilizing its expanded physical network to introduce adjacent categories such as premium perfumes, footwear, and accessories. This diversification is central to the company’s evolution into a comprehensive lifestyle label, aimed at capturing a larger share of the wallet from its core Gen Z and Millennial demographic. By combining this category depth with an aggressive store rollout - aiming for 300 locations by 2027 - the company is positioning itself as a dominant force in the Indian apparel landscape, balancing high-frequency digital engagement with the tangible benefits of high-touch experiential retail.

Snitch is a Bengaluru-based fast-fashion menswear label founded in 2018 by Siddharth Dungarwal. It offers trend-led casual wear, co-ords, and lifestyle accessories. Operating as an omnichannel powerhouse, the brand focuses on rapid-trend cycles and digital-first data analytics to maintain a competitive edge in India's mid-premium retail market.

Chupps Footwear is embarking on a strategic retail expansion aimed at securing a 40–50 store network across India within the next two years. By transitioning from a digital-first model to a robust omnichannel presence, the Mumbai-based brand intends to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for ‘recovery-wear’ and high-performance open footwear. With 15 new EBOs slated for launch in 2026, the company is prioritizing high-traffic travel hubs and premium urban malls to enhance brand visibility. This retail scaling is designed to complement its existing distribution network of over 3,000 multi-brand stores, aiming to bridge the critical price-value gap in the domestic market between mass-market utility chappals and high-cost global labels.

Diversification through technical innovation

To sustain its growth trajectory and target a revenue milestone of Rs 400–500 crore over the next three years, Chupps is aggressively diversifying its product architecture. Beyond its core men’s slide and sandal range, the brand is scaling its women’s and children’s categories while introducing nearly 50 new SKUs, including backstrap sandals and home-focused comfort wear.

Central to this expansion is the integration of proprietary technologies such as ‘Quick Dry,’ offering 90 per cent water resistance, and ‘Massage Footbeds’ designed for enhanced airflow and ergonomic support. According to Yashesh Mukhi, Founder, these innovations are essential to maintaining a high customer retention rate - currently sitting at 27 per cent - as the brand seeks to cement its status as a specialist in the Rs 500–Rs 2,000 ‘middle-ground’ footwear segment.

Specializing in comfort-led open footwear

Chupps is a Mumbai-based D2C footwear brand established in 2022. It specializes in sustainable, comfort-led open footwear, including slides, sandals, and clogs. The company focuses on the Indian and UAE markets, utilizing technical R&D and eco-friendly materials to target the accessible-premium category, with significant growth driven by an omnichannel retail strategy.

Tamil Nadu is strengthening its position as a global footwear manufacturing hub, with major international brands and their supply-chain partners increasing sourcing activities from the state.

The latest development comes from Phoenix Kothari Footwear, which is set to commence production of Adidas footwear at its new manufacturing facility in Karur from 10th July.

A joint venture between Chennai-based Kothari Industrial Corporation (KICL) and Taiwan’/s Evervan Group, Phoenix Kothari Footwear plans to invest approximately US $1 billion over the next five years. The company aims to manufacture around 100 million pairs of shoes during the period and create up to 50,000 jobs. The Karur project alone is expected to generate 15,000 jobs in phases.

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The company is already exporting footwear for Crocs from its Perambalur facility, where it has invested around Rs 5,000 crore (US $). According to J Rafiq Ahmed, Managing Director, KICL, the company is seeking a significant share of India’s non-leather footwear exports as it expands its manufacturing footprint.

The expansion reflects a broader shift within the global footwear industry. Suppliers serving leading international brands including Adidas, Nike, Puma, Crocs, New Balance and Reebok have increasingly turned to Tamil Nadu for sourcing and manufacturing operations. The state has emerged as India’s leading footwear production centre, particularly in the non-leather segment.

Several Taiwanese footwear manufacturers, regarded among the world’s largest producers of branded athletic footwear, have established or expanded operations in Tamil Nadu. These include the Pou Chen Group, which manufactures for brands such as Nike, Adidas and New Balance through its Indian operations, as well as Hong Fu Group, Feng Tay Group, Dean Shoes, Oasis Footwear and Evervan Group.

Industry investments in Tamil Nadu’s non-leather footwear ecosystem have exceeded Rs 12,000 crore in recent years, with additional projects currently under implementation. These investments are expected to further reinforce the state’s status as a global footwear manufacturing destination.

Tamil Nadu currently accounts for more than 32 per cent of India’s footwear production and nearly 48 per cent of the country’s leather and non-leather footwear exports, valued at more than US $2 billion. Industry executives believe the continued influx of global manufacturers and suppliers will further enhance the state’s competitiveness in international footwear markets.

Italian fashion brand Gas Milano is expanding its market presence in India by tapping into the high-octane energy of the superbike community. The brand is launching its latest motorsport-inspired collection to capture the growing demands of motorcycle enthusiasts. This launch is perfectly timed to align with the rising focus of premium brands on experiential product lines resonating with specific lifestyle subcultures. The brand blends technical fabric utility with racing-centric design elements to capture a larger share of the burgeoning premium active-lifestyle segment.

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Strategic market positioning

The collection serves as a strategic move to differentiate the brand in a competitive retail landscape where consumers seek apparel that reflects personal hobbies. Industry analysts note,  collaborations and thematic collections within the automotive and racing sectors have seen a 15 per cent uptick in conversion rates among male demographics aged 25 to 45. As global demand for performance-oriented streetwear grows, Gas Milano’s emphasis on durability and brand heritage provides a distinct advantage. This fusion of utility and aesthetic appeal ensures the apparel remains functional for riders while maintaining the fashion-forward sensibility required for urban retail environments.

Renowned for premium denim and  contemporary casual wear

Gas Milano is a heritage Italian apparel brand renowned for its premium denim and contemporary casual wear. The label operates across global markets, focusing on high-quality craftsmanship and innovative designs. Its current growth strategy centers on lifestyle-driven collections, maintaining a strong fiscal performance through targeted expansion in premium retail hubs.

United Colors of Benetton has set on a mission to capture burgeoning purchasing power in East India by inaugurating a premier boutique on Kanke Road in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Serving as a critical node in its broader objectives, this new store helps the brand to deliver a tactile and elevated consumer experience by moving beyond the reach of its existing pan-India network encompassing nearly 1,000 locations across the country.

Aligning with contemporary consumer preferences

The Ranchi outlet debuts the Spring-Summer 2026 collection, which features a sophisticated palette ranging from luminous pastels like lilac and sage green to decisive shades of burgundy and navy blue. Designed to resonate with a style-conscious, younger demographic, the apparel assortment emphasizes fluidity and breathable natural fibers, including high-grade linen and cotton. This retail strategy reflects a shift in market engagement; rather than relying solely on e-commerce, Benetton is betting on high-visibility brick-and-mortar storefronts to act as brand-building destinations that drive customer loyalty and long-term brand equity in non-metropolitan corridors.

Strategic market penetration and outlook

For the company, the Indian market remains one of its most dynamic international arenas. The brand’s expansion model is increasingly franchise-driven, allowing for rapid scaling through local partnerships that provide critical market insights. This approach enables the company to maintain a consistent brand identity while catering to the specific aesthetic demands of regional consumer bases. As the brand continues to modernize its boutique network, the focus remains on leveraging its heritage as a global knitwear leader while integrating sustainable practices - such as the increased use of natural-origin yarns—to meet the expectations of modern, value-driven shoppers.

Founded in Italy in 1965, United Colors of Benetton is a global fashion house celebrated for its knitwear, vibrant color palettes, and inclusive social messaging. The brand offers premium casualwear, innerwear, and children’s apparel. It is currently prioritizing boutique network upgrades and regional expansion to deepen its market share in India.