01 May 2023, Mumbai 

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Raymond's consumer care business, which includes the Park Avenue male grooming brand and Kamasutra condoms.

What all you need to know

The deal, if it goes through, will give GCPL a bigger presence in the men's personal care and sexual wellness categories. Raymond has been looking to divest its consumer care business for more than two years, as it is considered non-core to its portfolio.

GCPL's previous acquisitions include the hair care brand Bblunt, but this would be its first large deal with an Indian brand.

With sales of ₹522 crores in FY22, Raymond is one of the top five players in the men's deodorants category and the third-largest in the branded condom segment but is a fringe player in the mainstream soaps and shampoo market.

This development comes at a time when GCPL is seeing a steady recovery in consumer demand after six to eight quarters of declining volume offtake due to price hikes.

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12 June 2023, Mumbai

Athletic apparel and footwear brand Adidas has made its mark in Kerala, India by opening a standalone exclusive outlet, as announced by a company official on social media. The expansive store, sprawling across 7,500 sq. ft., finds its home on NH Bypass Road in Edappally, Kochi, Ernakulam.

Expands Presence in God's Own Country

In a LinkedIn post, Anoop M, cluster manager at Adidas, proudly proclaimed, "First Adidas' retail store at God's Own Country, Kerala, located at the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi. We proudly present the biggest factory outlet in South at Kochi, Kerala."

Store Boasts an Extensive Collection

Showcasing Technologically Advanced Sportswear; Featuring cutting-edge technological solutions, the store offers a wide range of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids, as confirmed by Anoop M.

Sharing pictures of the store on LinkedIn, Viswanath Menon, senior manager of real estate at Adidas, expressed his delight, stating, "Extremely happy to share that we are operational with one of our largest outlet stores in South India."

Quick background

Adidas first entered the Indian market in 1989 through a license agreement with Bata, a footwear brand. Later, in 1996, the brand made a second entry into India through a joint venture with Magnum International Trading Company Ltd. In 2016, Adidas obtained approval from the Indian government to establish 100% foreign-owned stores in the country.

In 2021, Adidas unveiled its inaugural flagship store in India at Connaught Place in Delhi, and in November 2022, it opened its largest flagship store to date, spanning 6,800 sq. ft., at Select CityWalk Mall in New Delhi.

Founded in 1949 by Adolf Dassler, the younger brother of Rudolf Dassler, the founder of Puma, the German athleisure brand Adidas is known worldwide. Adidas Originals, a subdivision of the company, is dedicated to lifestyle, fashion, and heritage products.

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 19 May 2023, Mumbai  

Campus Activewear, a renowned sports and athleisure footwear brand, has partnered with cricketer Umran Malik to introduce the highly anticipated Nitrofly range.

This collaboration aims to combine Malik's exceptional skills as India's fastest bowler with Campus Activewear's commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving extraordinary performance.

The highlight of the Nitrofly range is the incorporation of the cutting-edge 'Nitro' technology, a performance-enhancing feature that sets these athletic footwear apart from others in the market. With the Nitro technology, Campus Activewear aims to revolutionize the world of athletic footwear by providing athletes with shoes that offer a perfect balance of speed, comfort, and control.

This collaboration between Campus Activewear and Umran Malik marks an exciting chapter for both the brand and the cricketer.

The Nitrofly collection will be available for purchase in select retail stores.

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02 June  2023, Mumbai

Luxury brand Jimmy Choo has introduced its exclusive 'Made-to-Order' service in India, available at chosen stores in Delhi and Mumbai.

This personalized offering allows customers to customize 21 shoe silhouettes and four accessory styles to their preferences. Crafted in Italy and Delivered in India In a recent press release, Jimmy Choo announced that each bespoke design will be meticulously hand-finished by the brand's skilled artisans. The Made-to-Order pieces are crafted in Italy and delivered within eight to 10 weeks, presented in an exquisite branded velvet box.

Exclusive 'Made-to-Order' Service Perfect for Brides; The service offers a unique opportunity for clients to create one-of-a-kind designs, making it particularly appealing for prospective brides. Clients can add personal touches such as up to four characters from an alphabet of blue or golden letters, numbers, or symbols on the shoe soles. Additionally, engraved gold or silver plaques can be added to the shoe soles or the interior of custom handbags. The customizability extends to both footwear options, including strappy sandals and versatile sneakers, and handbag styles ranging from elegant evening bags to casual cross-body designs. This strategic move demonstrates Jimmy Choo's commitment to further expanding its presence and pursuing growth in the Indian market.

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15 May 2023, Mumbai 

Gioia, a luxury leather handbag brand, has made opened its flagship store at Mumbai's Phoenix Market City, Kurla.

The newly launched Mumbai store reflects its commitment to luxury, craftsmanship, and history. The store's design aims to provide customers with an immersive retail experience, showcasing the brand's exquisite handbags in a visually stunning environment.

Mumbai store is the second store, Gioia has also announced their third store in the prestigious Mall of Asia in Bangalore, scheduled for June 2023

The brand, founded by the talented mother-son designer duo Diksha and Vashisht Bhatia the creative minds behind Gioia, opened its first store in Kolkata back in September 2022.

Gioia's foray into the Mumbai market represents a significant milestone in the brand's journey.

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 27 April 2023, Mumbai 

The Indian government is taking a tough stance on e-commerce platforms, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stating that while the government is not concerned about flash sales, it is against predatory pricing and other unfair practices used by e-retailers to limit consumer choice.

Goyal also expressed concern that consumers are being diverted to entities preferred or promoted by online retailers in order to avail of discounts, which is against foreign direct investment rules.

He emphasized that the government's e-commerce policy aims to prevent cheating and predatory pricing, citing China as an example of how dumping of goods at low prices can harm domestic manufacturing and force consumers to buy goods at high prices. Goyal urged e-commerce players to respect the country's FDI laws and operate marketplaces as marketplaces.

He also called for support to protect small retailers, who are at risk of being shut down by e-commerce giants in developed economies.

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25 May 2023, Mumbai  

Italian apparel and accessories brand Armani Exchange has opened its latest outlet at Phoenix Citadel in Indore, as announced by Foram Saiya, senior leasing manager at The Phoenix Mills Ltd., on LinkedIn.

A Mass Market Sub-brand by Armani

Armani Exchange, launched in 1991, serves as Armani's mass-market sub-brand catering to fashion-conscious individuals. While not directly designed by Giorgio Armani, it focuses on fast-fashion street style and offers accessible price points, making it popular among a youthful demographic.

India Presence and Reliance Retail Partnership

Armani Exchange made its entry into India in 2016, opening its first store at Select Citywalk Mall in New Delhi. This expansion was made possible through a partnership with Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd., owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Group. Reliance Retail has successfully brought various international brands to India, including Giorgio Armani, and is currently in talks to introduce the renowned Armani/Caffè to the country.

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 27 April 2023, Mumbai 

With the current rebound in brick-and-mortar shopping, Woodland is looking to open 25-30 new outlets in the current fiscal year. The brand is also planning to expand its product line-up, which will be the first time since the pandemic began. The company is investing INR50-60 crore in capacity expansion and store additions to meet the growing demand.

Woodland specializes in outdoor and sports shoes. The brand has a strong presence in the Indian market and has been expanding its operations both in India and globally. In addition to its 475 exclusive outlets, Woodland has a presence in over 4,000 multi-brand outlets across India.

Woodland has a strong focus on the sports and outdoor segments, which have been growing fast in India.

The brand is currently producing five million pairs of shoes annually, and with its expansion plans, it is expected to increase its production capacity significantly.

Woodland is known for its durable and high-quality shoes, which are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. The brand has a loyal customer base in India and is popular among outdoor enthusiasts and sportspeople.

The brand is owned by Aero Club, a company that was established in the year 1950.

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