13 May, Mumbai 2025

Bringing together artists and sneakerheads to celebrate the launch of their new’Gel-Ds Trainer 14 sneaker range, Japanese athletic wear brand Asics hosted an event at the nightlife hotspot Late Checkout in Mumbai. The event even featured an Asics Sportstyle-branded double-decker bus and drew inspiration from the fashion and street culture of the 2000s.

Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, Asics India and South Asia, says, inspired by the original design from 2009, the launch of the Gel-Ds Trainer 14 collection reflects its commitment to the 'SportStyle' segment. With this collection, the brand launches a whole lifestyle segment that smoothly mixes its high-performance history with today's street style."

The event highlighted Asics’ growing Sportstyle category, which aims to connect their performance background with everyday fashion. The event featured interactive experiences, including a memory wall where they shared moments and stories related to the brand. It presented the Gel-Ds Trainer 14 as a lifestyle sneaker that balances a retro look with modern comfort.

Designed for both men and women, the Gel-Ds Trainer 14 features the original design on the side, open mesh details, and a lightweight build. The sneaker sells for ₹9,999 and comes in Truffle Gray/Pure Silver and White/Tai Chi Yellow, available at Asics stores and online.

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 12 May, Mumbai 2025

To reinforce the brand’s focus on ‘Make in India’ and reinforce its products’ quality through greater process control and precision automation, footwear label Bata India has expanded the production capacity of its Nagar factory in Kolkata.

The company has installed a DESMA-PUDIP (Polyurethane Direct Injection Process) machine at the factory with an aim to deliver improved consistency, speed, and quality across the unit’s output. Developed by global footwear machinery manufacturer DESMA, this machine features automated direct soling, robotic spray and roughening arms, and auto-enabled mould processing.

The factory inauguration event attended by government officials including Maloy Ghatak, Minister of Labor and Law, Government of West Bengal, and Avanindra Singh, Labor secretary. Senior leaders from Bata India and representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards were also present. Anjan Kundu, Head - Supply Chain, Bata India, attended the event in person, while Gunjan Shah, CEO and President and David Lynch, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Bata Global, joined virtually.

The commercialisation of the DESMA-PUDIP machine marks a bold stride in the brand’s journey to modernise and scale its manufacturing capabilities, says Shah. It reaffirms the company’s commitment to ‘Make in India,’ to innovation, and to creating long-term value for its customers, and association with the state of West Bengal.

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10 May, Mumbai 2025

Currently valued around $10–11 billion, the fast fashion segment is expected to grow to over $50 billion by FY31 as brands such as Zudio aggressively broaden their footprint and open tons of new stores. The segment is growing at the rate of 30 per cent-40 per cent annually.

Strong growth is being recorded in both the budget-friendly and high-end segments of India’s fashion market. Alpana Razdan, Country Manager, Falabella and Co-founder, AtticSalt, points out, brands like Zudio are blowing up in smaller towns while luxury names like Sabyasachi are making waves in upscale Mumbai malls.

In particular, Zudio has doubled its store count in just two years and raked in over $1 billion in annual revenue. They're selling 90 T-shirts every single minute and turning over inventory every 15 days to keep up with trends.

On the flip side, India’s premium and traditional wear market is also booming, powered by a $130 billion wedding industry and rising incomes that are blurring the lines between clothes for special occasions and everyday splurges.

The traditional wear segment is projected to hit $30 billion by 2030, with brands growing by over 7 per cent annually. Brands like Sabyasachi and Zara are tapping into a growing demand for luxury, unique pieces, and the whole brand experience. For instance, Zara registered a 40 per cent rise in revenue with average customer spending significantly higher than mass-market rivals.

Brands with lower prices and wider reach - like Zudio - are grabbing the biggest piece of the market pie, while premium brands are holding onto fat margins and strong customer loyalty.

The wedding business continues to be a huge engine for traditional and occasionwear. With a combined value of $80 billion over 800 direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in this segment are setting up physical shops, boosting their visibility and reach in multi-brand stores.

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10 May, Mumbai 2025

True Religion has entered into the Indian market in partnership with Iconic India. The brand has launched its official website and social media channels in the country.

Leading this effort is Apoorv Sen, CEO, who is adapting True Religion's global vibe for the Indian market.

With its journey built on a legacy that is a symbol of self-expression loved by athletes, musicians, and artists alike, True Religion moves further into a digital-first world, bringing this iconic spirit closer to the Indian audience,

The brand’s strategy focuses on exclusivity - launching limited-edition collections to keep the brand fresh, exciting, and desirable. The brand’s commitment to sustainability includes weaving eco-friendly practices into its designs and production. The brand mixes its rich history with forward-thinking innovation, to inspire a new generation that values being real, individual, and having timeless style.

True Religion's marketing is all about staying true to our roots while tapping into what's happening in modern culture. The brand collaborates with influencers and celebrities to create user-generated content. It blends tradition with digital trends to connect with the next generation of fashion lovers.

For each of its campaigns, True Religion taps into real moments, authentic voices, and personal experiences to create stories that feel genuine and relatable. It connects with its audience through platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

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 12 May, Mumbai 2025

A private equity firm known for its investments in core manufacturing and services sectors, The Chatterjee Group (TCG) is expanding into the consumer market with a focus on its textile division. The firm plans to relaunch its brand ‘Garden Vareli’ and expand its product lines.

This strategic shift to a business-to-consumer (B2C) model comes four years after MCPI, a TCG company, acquired Garden Silk Mills (GSML) through bankruptcy proceedings. That acquisition brought the once popular Garden Vareli brand of sarees into TCG's portfolio.

GSML is currently in the process of spinning off its textile operations into a separate company. The firm is staffing this new entity with personnel experienced in the textile sector. Purnendu Chatterjee, Chairman, TCG, states, the company aims to establish a global textile business centered around the Garden Vareli brand.

By the end of this decade, TCG aims to generate an annual revenue of Rs 2,000 crore, a substantial 20-fold increase from its current level. The company has commissioned Ernst & Young to conduct a study on the textile and fabrics, notes Debi Prasad Patra, Managing Director and CEO, MCPI, which recently marked its 25th anniversary in April. Beyond expanding its saree collection, the company plans to expand into dress materials, including SKD (salwar, kameez, and dupatta) ensembles, and related categories like accessories such as cosmetics and leather goods.

With the Garden business, TCG will operate across the entire value chain, from the raw material PTA produced at MCPI in Haldia, to yarn production at GSML in Surat, and finally fabric and finished textiles under the Garden Vareli brand, also located in Surat.

In future, the group plans to leverage Surat's established ecosystem, known as India's textile hub for synthetic fibers, to scale up the business, states Patra. The company is distinguished by its deep knowledge of manufacturing, he adds.

The company aims to establish exclusive Garden Vareli retail outlets in key locations and will also sell through multi-brand stores. Mahendra Singh Bhadoria, CEO, Garden Vareli, affirms, the brand will emphasize equally on digital marketing to connect with its target consumers. It will expand Garden’s product range beyond synthetic fibers to include cotton, silk, and various blends, he adds.

For its international expansion, Garden may initially engage in contract manufacturing for other brands to gain insight into market dynamics before introducing its own brand globally.

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10 May, Mumbai 2025

Premium fashion and lifestyle brand from Reliance Retail, Azorte has officially opened a new tech-powered store at Pacific Mall in Faridabad. This launch marks a significant expansion in the National Capital Region.

Located on the second floor of Pacific Mall, the new Azorte store features a curated selection of contemporary Indian and international fashion. It caters to the style-conscious shoppers of Faridabad with a wide range of products, including Western and Indian apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, beauty products, and more. The offerings are designed to meet the diverse fashion needs of millennial and Gen Z customers.

Azorte's retail concept stands out due to its integration of cutting-edge technology to enhance the shopping experience. The store incorporates smart fitting rooms, fashion discovery stations, endless aisles, and self-checkout kiosks, providing customers with a seamless and engaging shopping journey. These tech-enabled features are part of Azorte's strategy to redefine fashion retail in India, blending high-street fashion with innovative retail solutions.

The launch of the Faridabad store aligns with Reliance Retail's broader vision to expand Azorte's presence across key Indian markets. Since its inception, Azorte has aimed to compete with global fast-fashion brands by offering a unique mix of contemporary styles and tech-driven shopping experiences. The brand's growth reflects the increasing demand for premium fashion options among Indian consumers and highlights Reliance Retail's commitment to meeting these evolving preferences.

With the opening of this new location, Azorte continues to strengthen its position as a leading player in India's premium fashion segment, offering customers in Faridabad access to the latest trends and a next-generation shopping experience.

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9 May, Mumbai 2025

In the January-March 2025 quarter, India’s retail sector grew by 169 per cent Y-o-Y as retailers in major metropolitan areas continued to open new retail stores, as per a report by JLL India.

Gross leasing activity within the retail sector increased by 9 per cent Q-o-Q, the report shows. Besides demand for retail space across top seven cities remaining robust, retailers also focused on launching new stores across the nation.

In Q1, FY25, retailers leased 3.1 million sq ft in shopping malls and on high streets across the top seven cities. Regarding supply, retailers added 2 million sq ft of new retail space during the quarter.

In terms of where the leasing volume occurred, Bengaluru and Hyderabad together accounted for 60 per cent of the total leasing activity in India. Prominent high streets in both these cities experienced active leasing in suburban submarkets, with larger store size requirements coming from retail categories such as fashion and apparel, the report stated.

The fashion and apparel segment represented a substantial 31 per cent share of the leasing activity in Q1 2025. Brands focusing on contemporary and fast fashion dominated the space uptake as both existing players and new entrants in the Indian retail scene rapidly expanded their brick-and-mortar footprint to serve the growing needs of the younger demographic, points out Dr Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research and REIS, India, JLL.

During the quarter, domestic retailers accounted for an 86 per cent share of the total retail space in India. Eight new international brands also opened their maiden stores across the country during this quarter.

The quarter also saw eight new international brands open their first retail location in the country. These included fast-fashion brands, European coffee giants, and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, notes Rahul Arora, Head-Office Leasing and Retail Services, India, JLL.

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 12 May, Mumbai 2025

Under this expansion, the company will open two new stores for the retailer in Himayatnagar, Hyderabad and HSR Layout, Bengaluru. These stores will house Arvind Fashion’s in-house brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, US Polo Assn, Arrow, Flying Machine, Cole Haan, Guess and Strike.

Indulging its clients by providing them with a customized shopping experience through a dedicated concierge, Arvind Fashions currently operates three Club A stores in Bengaluru, Delhi and Surat.

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10 May, Mumbai 2025

Value fashion retailer V-Mart Retail reported a net profit of Rs 19 crore ($2.3 million) during Q4, FY25 ended March 31, 2025, marking a turnaround from a net loss of Rs 39 crore in the same period last year.

The company’s revenue for the quarter rose 17 per cent to Rs 780 crore, compared to Rs 669 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. For the full FY25, V-Mart posted revenue of Rs 3,254 crore and a net profit of Rs 46 crore.

The company’s same-store sales grew by 8 per cent during the fourth quarter and 11 per cent for the full year.

During Q4, the company opened 13 new stores and closed 4. Over the course of FY25, V-Mart added 62 new stores and shut down 9, ending the year with a total of 497 stores.

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9 May, Mumbai 2025

Transforming India’s retail landscape, smaller cities in the country are emerging as vital growth engines rather than just secondary markets, highlighted industry leaders at the The Economic Times Great India Retail Summit 2025, held in Mumbai. They discussed strategies for capitalizing on the increasing aspirations and demand in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Titled, ‘Emergence of Non-Metros: Exploring Unexplored Frontiers of Retail,’ the summit included a panel discussion featuring top executives who shared how they're tailoring their strategies for these evolving consumer bases.

Rajesh Jain, Managing Director & CEO, Lacoste India, highlighted on the need for premium brands to adopt a selective expansion approach. Operating only company-owned stores, Lacoste carefully evaluates demographics and the presence of other premium brands before entering a Tier-II city, he informed.

Emphasizing on the critical importance of a mall's location and its neighboring brands for creating the right customer experience, Jain noted, while e-commerce data helps pinpoint potential cities, significantly cheaper rents in smaller cities are often a ‘myth,’ as overall operating costs remain comparable to metros.

Rahul Shanker, Group CEO, Quest Retail, emphasized, relevance is key. This involves choosing the right product mix for the right sales channel, he added citing The Body Shop's success in quick commerce with a focused gifting range. Even within metros, micro-markets require distinct approaches while maintaining brand consistency, he stated.

Other speakers at the event underscored the importance for localization. Karan Mehta, CEO, Easybuy, highlighted, it is important to understand regional tastes while offering fashionable, affordable apparel. Kamal Khushlani, Mufti Jeans, said, youthful, fashion-forward consumers in non-metros favor tailored collections. However, simply replicating strategies from larger cities is not vaiable, as cultural preferences vary significantly between Tier-II locations, warned Sameer Manglani, Meena Bazaar

Amitabh Suri, CEO, USPA Brands, emphasized, to build trust it is important to maintain a high-quality store experience and well-trained staff, regardless of city size.

Gargi Singh, Pincode discussed how hyperlocal commerce and improved digital infrastructure allow brands to build demand in smaller towns without massive physical investments. Anand Aiyer, Arrow reinforced the need for a comprehensive omnichannel strategy, engaging customers across digital platforms and local activations alongside physical stores.

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