05 September 2024, Mumbai

Abraham & Thakore, celebrated as the ‘Masters of Minimalism,’ have unveiled their first flagship store in Hyderabad. Located on the ground floor of Signature Tower, the 1093-square-foot store marks the brand’s debut in the city of Nizams.

The new store showcases the brand’s Autumn/Winter collection, Parallel Universe, which blends traditional craft with innovative design. Fabrics like soft silks, crinkled seersucker, and fluid chanderi feature motifs that evoke a sense of alternate realities and time travel. The collection’s contemporary silhouettes are designed for the subtleties of everyday life.

Designed by Saurabh Dakshini of Studio Organon, the store’s aesthetic reflects Abraham & Thakore’s iconic black-and-white palette. The geometric layouts and retro-inspired Terrazzo flooring create a refined, sophisticated ambiance.

The store also highlights the Abraham & Thakore Home collection, featuring luxurious tussar bed linens with Ikat and Kantha crafts and porcelain bowls with bandhani designs. This range merges traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance.

As part of its expansion strategy, the brand plans to open more brick-and-mortar stores and enhance its online presence over the next two financial years, aiming to reach new markets and deepen connections with customers.

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04 September 2024, Mumbai

Direct-to-consumer (D2C) kids wear brand Plan B plans to expand its market presence, product range and talent acquisition by utilising the funds raised from Jito Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), Ah Ventures and angel investors.

Redefining the children’s innerwear market, Plan B emphasises on quality and comfort in kids’ innerwear. They aim to invest in enhancing a child’s well-being and exceeding their expectations in terms of comfortable clothing, says Rajat Mehta, Chairman, JIFF.

Sneha Raisoni, Co-founder, Plan B adds, the brand aims to make the daily lives of children more comfortable and delightful by focusing on quality, design and fit. This funding will help it to not just maintain its momentum and help being discovered by more parents.

Founded by Sneha Raisoni and Vaidehi Shah, Mumbai-based Plan B offers clothing for children aged 6 months to 16 years. The brand operates through its website and major online marketplaces.

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03 September 2024, Mumbai

A premium and innovative streetwear brand from Tamil Nadu, the House of Sause has launched its cutting-edge 3D website in Singapore. Merging the physical and digital realms, the website delivers a unique 'phygital' shopping experience to the brand’s customers.

Founded by 25-year-old Akhilesh Ashok from Salem, Tamil Nadu, and a Loyola College graduate, House of Sause has quickly gained recognition for its trendsetting designs and fresh approach to streetwear. The brand made its global debut in Lombardy, Milan, Italy, on August 31, 2022, where Ashok introduced his brand through an energetic street fashion show.

In just 18 months, House of Sause has released eight distinct designs, selling over 3,000 pieces across six countries, including Italy, France, the UK, Amsterdam, Singapore, and Canada. The collection is priced starting at Rs2,999 in India and $79 internationally, with plans to expand soon to Dubai and Australia.

House of Sause has partnered with Chennai-based tech startup Imersive.IO to incorporate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D commerce, providing an immersive and interactive shopping experience. The website’s innovative technology allows customers to explore the brand’s latest collections in a fully interactive 3D environment. The brand has already attracted several celebrities, including MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Anirudh Ravichander, and Shruti Haasan, who have been seen sporting its designs.

The debut collection from House of Sause features a range of stylish oversized tees, deconstructed hoodies, and exclusive collaboration merchandise. One of the standout features of the House of Sause collection is the integration of QR codes into the garments. These codes, when scanned, lead customers to an Instagram filter that interacts with the unique designs on the clothing. For example, matching a t-shirt’s design with the filter triggers a dragon to emerge, breathing fire and enhancing the ‘phygital’ experience. This innovative approach not only adds an element of fun but also turns each piece into a limited-edition art collectible, explains Ashok.

Roshan Raju, CEO, Imersive. IO, states, the brand revolutionises shopping experience with offeringsgoing beyond the traditional 2D websites. Its 3D website allows customers to enter a virtual world where a dragon guards the latest collab drop, accessible on any device, from phones to desktops to VR headsets. Additionally, the website allows customers to bring an augmented reality-powered mannequin into their space to see how the products would look in real-time, all from the comfort of their home, he adds.

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05 September 2024, Mumbai

Fashion and lifestyle brand Azorte plans to expand its presence in Gujarat by launching its debut brick-and-mortar store in Jamnagar.

To be launched at The Mall at Reliance Greens., the store will offer a wide range of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, lifestyle goods and gift items. Azorte also plans to launch a store in Surat. To be located in Ashirwad High Street Mall, the store will feature Azorte’s signature collection of youth-focused, trendy fashion.

Azorte has been actively expanding its physical retail presence, having opened its first store in Vadodara and third in Bengaluru in August. Earlier this year, the brand also launched stores in Hyderabad, New Delhi, and a second Bengaluru location.

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04 September 2024, Mumbai

Apparel-to-accessories conglomerate Max Fashion aims to strengthen its supply chains in Vietnam and India after it faced a brief disruption in Bangladesh due to the current political crisis in the country.

Pallavi Pandey, Head- Marketing, says, the brand faced a slowdown in terms of sourcing due to this disruption. However, the supply chain has now been restored, she adds.

Max Fashion’s youth-centric brand, Max Urban brand recently partnered with Bollywood actor Alaya F to reinforce its popularity among Gen Z.

Launched in April last year, Max Urban has boosted the brand’s online business while also keeping its offline business stable.

The fashion conglomerate plans to expand its stores in metro cities, specifically in malls. The value fashion brand added almost 100 stores in the last 1-1.5 years. This year, it aims to grow by double-digits this year, adds Pandey. To achieve, the brand plans to set up independent high street big stores in metros and state capitals such as Lucknow, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, she states.

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03 September 2024, Mumbai

Making its runway debut, women’s ethnic and occasion wear brand c is set to launch its new collection, ‘Celestia’ at the London Fashion Week.

Debuting at London Fashion Week is a landmark moment for Tabeer India as it enables the brand to not just connect with the global audience and industry leaders but strengthen its position in the international fashion scene says Payal Dhawan, Founder, Tabeer.

Inspired by the European fashion of the 1980s with a contemporary twist, the ‘Celestia’ collection captures the warmth, optimism, and romanticism of the New Romantic movement as it blends drama and elegance in each of the garment pieces.

A specialist in ‘Premium Luxurious Pret’, unstitched, ready-to-wear, and pre-order clothing, Tabeer operates through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. Launched in 2022, the label offers a diverse range of bridal and occasion wear that is available for international shipping.

With the London Fashion Week debut, Tabeer is poised to expand its influence and establish itself as a prominent player in the global fashion industry.

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05 September 2024, Mumbai

Having recently launched its first store in New Jersery, India’s leading women’s wear brand Biba plans to expand its international presence further. The brand already operates two stores in Canada, and plans to launch the third store in the region soon.

Further, Biba plans to expand within the Middle East and the Mauritius markets, avers Siddharth Bindra, Managing Director. The brand has already made inroads into the Nepal market and is exploring other regions to capitalise on the growing global appreciation for Indian fashion, he adds.

Biba’s latest campaign, ‘Something BIBA About Her,’ starring actress Kriti Sanon emphasises everyday elegance while introducing new Indo-fusion styles like short tops and jackets. The campaign launched alongside a special occasion collection designed for weddings, including Sangeet, Mehndi, and Pooja outfits

Biba is adopting a multichannel marketing approach for this campaign, with digital promotions leading the charge, followed by theatre, outdoor, and print ads. The brand’s extensive distribution network, including 360 stores, e-commerce platforms, and department stores like Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle, will ensure these new collections are available to customers.

The campaign reflects Biba’s heritage through intricate craftsmanship, hand embroidery, and printing. It appeals to multiple generations of women through its versatile, inclusive product range that accommodates diverse body types and age groups.

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04 September 2024, Mumbai

Womens wear brand House of Ara has launched its first western wear collection for the Autumn/Winter 2024 season. The collection reimagines the kantha, ajrakh, and leheria techniques in minimalist, modern designs.

Avani K Chandan, Co-founder, House of Ara, states, the collection maintains the brand’s understated ethos while honoring ancient crafts and quality. Through this collection, House of Ara aims to create timeless designs that embody its unique style. The garment pieces in this collection offer a lasting appeal besides also fostering a sense of community, he adds.

The new collection adds a desi touch to its garment pieces by combining western silhouettes with fusion details.It enhances the appeal of the neutral-toned relaxed fit separates with pops of color and design elements like bows and pleats.

With prices starting at Rs 9,500, the collection is designed to become a future heirloom, adds Chandan. It is set to be retailed through the direct-to-consumer website of House of Ara, which emphasises sustainable packaging and supports rural artisans.

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03 September 2024, Mumbai

New Delhi-based womenswear brand Latin Quarters targets revenues of Rs 200 crore by the end of fiscal year 2026. The company closed the previous fiscal year (FY24) with approximately Rs 108 crore revenues and is currently growing at an annual run rate of Rs 130-132 crore. It plans to grow its revenues at a monthly run rate of Rs 16 crore, says Rahul Bhalla, CEO.

Founded in 2006, Latin Quarters began as an offline brand focused on western wear, offering a variety of products, including apparel, jewelry, and handbags. The brand caters to women aged 24-40, with prices ranging from Rs 1,699 to Rs 7,499. Starting with its first store in Saket, New Delhi, Latin Quarters has expanded to 23 exclusive stores, and is currently present in over 400 department stores, including prominent retailers like Shoppers Stop, Pantaloons, Lifestyle, and Centro. The brand also has a strong online presence, selling through its website and on popular marketplaces such as Myntra, Nykaa, and Ajio.

Despite its robust online growth, the brand generates around 90 per cent of its revenues through physical stores. This year, the brand’s online sales are expected to grow by around 10 per cent though they are unlikely to replace the brand’s offline sales, affirms Bhalla. Latin Quarters currently sells over one lakh garments each month across its offline and online channels.

Adopting a strategic approach to retail expansion, Latin Quarters balances exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) with shop-in-shop models. Highlighting the importance of department stores in the brand’s growth strategy, Bhalla says, these enable Latin Quarters to expand its geographic reach by penetrating into smaller Tier-III and IV cities.

By the end of this year, Latin Quarters plans to open two new stores besides renovating two existing ones. It also plan penetrate the Middle East market through offline retail by the next fiscal year.

Latin Quarters refreshes its collections eight times a year, introducing around 250 new styles annually. The brand aims to introduce more subcategories within its existing range, such as leisurewear and occasion wear.

Allocating up to 3 per cent of its revenue to marketing, Latin Quarters employs both above-the-line (ATL) and below-the-line (BTL) strategies. Its marketing campaigns are increasingly region-specific, with a current focus on the East, followed by Diwali promotions in the North, and Christmas celebrations nationwide, adds Bhalla.

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04 September 2024, Mumbai

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) has entered into two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC) and the Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan (GEAR). Signed in Mumbai, these partnerships aim to elevate garment manufacturers in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan by capitalizing on shared strengths and expanding their reach in both domestic and international markets.

These MOUs will focus on promoting trade interests, organizing joint programs, enhancing knowledge sharing, and increasing participation in trade fairs. They also aim to provide a unified industry voice to Central and State Governments, advocating for the interests of regional garment manufacturers.

Rajesh Masand, President of CMAI, highlighted the benefits of the collaboration with NAEC, stating that it would offer UP’s garment manufacturers, particularly those in the Noida cluster, access to CMAI’s extensive buyer and retailer network across India. Lalit Thukral, President of NAEC, emphasized that the alliance marks a significant advancement for UP’s garment sector.

Meanwhile, GEAR renewed its MOU with CMAI, reaffirming a partnership that has already proven beneficial for Rajasthan’s garment exporters. Zakir Hussain, President of GEAR, expressed confidence in the continued success of this collaboration. Rohit Munjal, Vice President of CMAI, added that the renewed partnership would help Rajasthan manufacturers increase their visibility in the domestic retail market.

These alliances reinforce CMAI’s dedication to supporting garment manufacturers nationwide, helping them achieve sustained growth in a competitive market.

04 September 2024, Mumbai

The rapid growth of India's e-commerce market, projected to surpass $160 billion by 2028, is facing a significant challenge: the high rate of returns, especially in the fashion and footwear segment. A recent report by Return Prime highlights that over a third of fashion and footwear products purchased online are returned, primarily due to sizing issues. This trend is not only impacting brands' profitability but also influencing their return policies.

Return rates and the impact on brands

According to the report, approximately 17.6 per cent of all e-commerce orders are returned, but in categories like fashion and footwear, this figure escalates to 30-35 per cent. The financial implications for brands are substantial, with an average loss of 8 per cent in potential repeat revenue annually due to negative return experiences. While the pandemic boosted e-commerce sales by 38 per cent, it also amplified the return problem by 1.5 to 2 times. The rise in returns is forcing brands to rethink their once-generous return policies.

Report’s key findings

• 17.6% of all e-commerce orders are returned

• In categories like fashion and footwear, this figure can be as high as 30-35%

• Size-related issues account for more than 40% of returns in apparel and footwear

• Maharashtra leads in return rates at 19.1%, followed by Karnataka (11.5%) and Delhi (9.9%)

• Kerala has the lowest return rate at 1.9%

Addressing the return challenge

To mitigate these challenges, brands are adopting various strategies. Some are introducing stricter return policies, charging return fees, or shortening return windows. Others are leveraging technology that automate return process, facilitating exchanges and reducing operational costs. Return Prime founder, Sashwat Swaroop, emphasizes the importance of turning returns into exchanges, thereby minimizing losses. The platform offers a seamless integration with existing systems, allowing brands to manage returns efficiently. Additionally, its plug-and-play model enables easy adoption, automating logistics, refunds, and replacements.

Brands are grappling with finding a balance between providing a seamless shopping experience and mitigating the financial impact of high return rates. While easy return policies drive conversions and repeat purchases, the associated costs can be substantial. They are now adopting various methodologies to discourage returns.

Policy changes by online platforms

• Charging return fees: Platforms like Myntra and Amazon are introducing return fees on certain items or categories.

• Shortening return windows: The timeframe for returning products is being reduced.

• Increasing logistics fees: Customers may have to bear higher costs for return shipping.

• Rolling back refunds to the original payment mode: Refunds may be issued as store credits or vouchers instead of cash.

• Offering discounts to discourage returns: Incentives are being provided to customers who choose to keep their purchases

With online spending constituting only 5-6 per cent of total retail spending in India, there's substantial room for growth. However, managing returns effectively will be crucial for sustained success. As e-commerce penetrates further into remote parts of India, the return rate could rise to 40 per cent by next year, potentially costing brands billions in revenue.

Indeed, while the high return rate poses a significant hurdle, it also presents an opportunity for innovation and improved customer experience. Various platforms like Return Prime, along with evolving policies from major e-retailers, offer hope for addressing the return challenge and ensuring the continued growth of India's online retail sector.

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03 September 2024, Mumbai

Marking the brand’s foray into the overseas market, Tata Group's retail arm, Trent has launched its value fashion brand, Zudio in Dubai.

Located in Dubai Silicon Central Mall, the inaugural Zudio store is strategically positioned to cater to the area's growing demand for fashion, particularly among the Indian diaspora.

This store is Zudio's first outlet in the region besides being a pilot project for the brand's international expansion. It offers a wide range of trend-driven apparel and accessories for both men and women.

Asraf Ali MA, Executive Director, Lulu Group International, says, the inauguration of first international Zudio store at Dubai Silicon Central Mall marks a new chapter in fashion retailing.

Based on the customers’ response to this store, Trent plans to open a few more of the brand’s stores in other locations, shares a senior executive at the company.

The size of the Zudio stores typically ranges from 7,000 sqft to 10,000 sq ft. As of June, the Trent operates 559 Zudio stores across India, alongside 228 Westside fashion stores and 36 other lifestyle retail outlets. Launched over seven years ago, Zudio provides affordable fashion for young Indians.

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