To expand its demi-formal product range, womenswear brand Verb has launched a new summer clothing collection titled, 'Chitter Chatter'.

Featuring floral dresses and delicate ruffles, the collection mixes vintage with modern inspirations.

As per PallaviSinghee, Designer, inspired by the lively buzz of social interaction, the collection combines the brand’s expertise with a bold approach to vivid hues, striking patterns, and unique textural elements, creating a multi-dimensional experience that is both nostalgic and contemporary.

Using floaty fabrics and botanical prints, the collection bridges the gap between occasion and casual wear. Vintage-inspired details such as corset lacing, sheer frills, and statement bows add glamor, while relaxed silhouettes and modern design elements maintain a youthful and versatile appeal.

Priced from Rs 10,400, "Chitter Chatter" is currently available on Verb’s direct-to-customer e-commerce store. Ensuring accessibility for a diverse customer base, the collection can be customised for all sizes.

Spanning 9,000 sqft, the newly launched mall store of US-based denim and casual wear brand Levi’s at the Pacific Mall in New Delhi is the brand’s largest mall store globally. The expansive store is also the brand’s largest store in India and its fifth largest worldwide.

According to AbhinavAgarwal, Head-Business Development, Levi Strauss & Co, the store will offer the most elevated consumer experience, the widest range of merchandise, and exceptional service quality to the consumers of Delhi/NCR.

Featuring a striking, illuminated façade with 3D blue rectangles, the store offers a vast selection of denim jeans and clothing for both men and women, along with other western-style casual wear and accessories. The store also includes a dedicated segment called 'The Levi’s Tailor Shop', complete with a seating area.

The recently concluded 20th edition of Myntra’s flagship event, the End of Reason Sale (EORS) recorded over 150 million customer visits.

Celebrating a decade ofrevolutionising fashion in India, this EORS edition showcased over 3 million styles from more than 8,800 brands. Compared to the previous summer edition, catalogued brands at the event increased by 47 per cent while trend-first selections rose by 50 per cent.

Some of the top metro cities contributing to this demand included Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Cities and towns like Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar, Dehradun, Jammu, Mysore, Fatehabad, Panipat, Hisar, and Udaipur also participated enthusiastically.

Indicating a rise in premiumisation, around 55 per cent of the demand also came from non-metro regions, notes NehaWali, Head - Revenue and Growth, Myntra.

Demand for international brands increased by 1.85 times over the usual business levels. Brands like Mango, Nike, Adidas, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Levi’s and Puma were some of the most sought after brands at the event.

Some of the top selling categories at the event included Women's Indian and Casual Wear, Men's Casual Wear, Sports Footwear, Kids Wear, Personal Care, and Home Furnishings. The most sought-after items included T-shirts, shirts, kurtas&kurta sets, perfumes, dresses, makeup and skincare products, denims, running shoes, trolley bags, and headphones. On average, 167 T-shirts, 60 pairs of shoes, and 20 lipsticks were sold every minute.

D2C brands were highly popular, with demands for clothes from brands like Bewakoof, The Souled Store, Snitch, Rare Rabbit, Salty, Assembly, Kidbea, and Uptownie growing by 2x over last year. Exclusive collections from Cultsport, Globus, Rain & Rainbow, and Alcis were also big hits.

Demand for products in categories like Luggage and Travel Accessories spiked by three times over BAU, while Home Furnishings and Wearables also experienced significant growth with a variety of value offers across trend-first brands.

The 'Assisted Sale Shopping Experience' featured over 300 inspirational influencer content videos via Myntra Minis, the platform's signature short-form video content offering. Additionally, over 20 brands participated in the EORS customer gratification construct that offered various rewards ranging from hotel stays and paid vacations to iPhones and Vespa Scooters.

To boost revenues from offline operations to 40 per cent, Gen Z-focused online-first brand, NewMe plans to open 75 stores by FY26, as per SumitJasoria, Co-founder.

Of these, the brand aims to open 20 stores by this fiscal end. These stores will contribute to 25 per cent of the brand’s revenue for this year.

Currently operating five stores; two in Bengaluru, one each in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chandigarh, the brand aims to open an outlet in all the premium malls of India.

It plans to set up an offline presence in top 20 cities of the country with the top 10 cities contributing to almost 35 per cent of its business.

Each of the brand’s stores will span across 3,000 to 4,000 sqft and they will opened with a CAPEX of Rs 2,500 per sq ft.

The brand has so far secured Rs 45 crore in seed funding led by venture fund Fireside Ventures. The funding round was also attended by AUM Ventures, 2AM Ventures, and AllinCapital. It will use these funds to expand its retail network and strengthen supply chain and technology, says Jasoria.

Having closed the last fiscal at Rs 80 crore, the brand aims to grow by four-five times this fiscal year.

Renowned for setting trends in Indian fashion with his exceptional craftsmanship, designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed has launched a new label, Tamiska. A blend of practicality and elegance for Indian women, the brand launched alongwith a stylish new store in Mumbai.

.With Tamiska, Ahmed combines 30 years of expertise to fulfill the need for ethnic wear in India while maintaining universal appeal. His brand Tamiska embraces seasonality, offering 8-10 colors in each collection. It focuses on one main color complemented by five ancillary shades.

The fabric selection of the brand includes blends of rayon, polyester, and nylon, ensuring longevity and affordability. Its color palettefeatures solid reds, speckled rusts, bold blacks, sunny yellows fading into deeper mustards, watery blues, and minty greens. These are paired with botanical and geometric patterns interspersed with brush strokes. The silhouettes boast global flair, with poised florals and fine tailoring evident in collars, cuffs, and buttons.

Held from June 11-13, 2024, at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre (IICC) in Dwarka, New Delhi, the 2nd North India Garment Fair (NIGF 2024) concluded successfully, organized by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI). The event saw participation from over 200 exhibitors and attracted more than 5450 trade visitors, reflecting strong positive sentiments for the upcoming festive season.

A platform for connections
NIGF serves as a crucial platform where manufacturers from across India meet retailers, distributors, and agents from Northern India. This year, the event's highlight was a business networking session on the second day, featuring one-on-one meetings between 65 exhibitors and 22 leading agents and distributors from various regions. These interactions enabled exhibitors to present their collections to potential partners, fostering new business relationships.

Industry leaders reflect on success
Rajesh Masand, President of CMAI, praised the event's success, highlighting the overwhelming response to NIGF 2024 as evidence of the Indian garment industry's strength and potential. He emphasized that the fair facilitated connections between manufacturers and North region buyers, demonstrating the industry's readiness for the festive season. Masand expressed confidence that the event would help stabilize business and pave the way for significant growth this year.

Santosh Katariya, Chairman of NIGF, highlighted the significance of the networking session, stating it greatly enhanced and broadened the retail industry's reach by introducing new suppliers and refreshing merchandise. He noted that NIGF 2024 attracted a substantial turnout from leading retailers and distributors from various regions, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal.

Diverse participation
Exhibitors from cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Surat, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, and Noida showcased their collections. Notable exhibitors included J.D. Enterprise (Ahmedabad), Lekhus Collections (New Delhi), Maa Garments (Mumbai), Manjot Trading Co (Ludhiana), Pocket Money Fashion (Indore), and many others. Leading retailers such as Aristocrat Garments (Ludhiana), Paul Garments (New Delhi), Bindals Group (New Delhi & UP), and Stanmax (New Delhi) visited the fair.

Exhibitors share positive experiences
Arun Sharma of Multi Brand Exports expressed his satisfaction with the event, stating, “The footfall has been amazing, and we have been able to connect with many new buyers. The success here has encouraged us to participate in other CMAI shows like the upcoming NGF in Mumbai and the Brands of India Show in Dubai.”

Arshdeep Singh Dua of Knit Tech India also noted improved footfalls compared to the previous year and expressed optimism about the upcoming season, highlighting buyers' interest in creative styling.

Inaugural highlights and future prospects
The fair was inaugurated by notable retailers and featured a diverse range of menswear, womenswear, and kidswear. Key dignitaries from CMAI, including Rajesh Masand, Rohit Munjal (Vice President), Santosh Katariya, Rahul Mehta (Chief Mentor), and Pankaj Jain (Hon. Secretary – North), graced the inaugural ceremony.

The success of NIGF 2024 underscores the importance of trade shows in gauging industry sentiments and identifying market trends. As the industry looks forward to a prosperous festive season, events like NIGF play a vital role in highlighting business opportunities and driving growth.

German sportswear giant Adidas has scored a big win in the Indian market, capitalizing on its cricket jersey partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This lucrative deal, which grants Adidas the official jersey rights for the Indian men's and women's cricket teams, has proven to be a masterstroke, driving brand visibility, consumer acquisition, and overall market share growth.

Key success drivers

As per Neelendra Singh, MD, Adidas India, cricket's immense popularity in India makes it a sport loved by so many people. The BCCI deal allows Adidas to reach a massive audience of 700 million potential customers. This partnership goes beyond simple jersey sales; it fosters brand loyalty and establishes Adidas as a key player in the Indian sportswear market. Recognizing the importance of affordability, Adidas offered a three-tier pricing strategy, including a fan jersey at Rs 999. This broadened accessibility and undercut the market for fake jerseys. Sales figures speak for themselves: half a million jerseys sold last year, a record for India.

Adidas also employs a robust mix of online and physical channels to reach customers across India's diverse landscape. Their digital presence reaches 98 per cent of the addressable market, while strategically placed company-owned stores and franchised outlets ensure a strong physical presence. Additionally, their innovative distribution channels, encompassing online platforms, traditional stores, and even quick-commerce services like Blinkit, ensure jerseys are readily available to fans. Adidas' marketing campaigns around the BCCI partnership, like the ‘3 Ka Dream’ video, have garnered high engagement. This strategy not only promotes jerseys but also strengthens the brand association with cricket. Furthermore, Singh highlights a significant rise in Adidas' "share of search" since the partnership began, indicating a heightened consumer interest in the brand.

While cricket is a major focus, Adidas isn't neglecting other sports. They maintain a strong presence in football, running, and their popular Adidas Originals lifestyle line. The recent success of Argentina's national football team and the Spanish Women's World Cup win have also driven sales of football jerseys in India.

More importantly Adidas is committed to the Indian market. They've established a sourcing office and a global tech hub in India, employing over 1,100 engineers. This signifies a long-term vision for growth and development within the country.

A reputed brand under the iconic Tata Group, Westside has unveiled its 240thstore in Bengaluru. Spanning 26,858 sqft, the store features a wide array of Westside’s collections, including apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear, and home décor.

Embodying Westside's vision of providing an extraordinary retail experience, the store offers contemporary and trendy fashion at exceptional value. The well-organised and clutter-free displays showcase latest fashion trends, offering customers a shopping seamless experience. Known for its innovative approach, Westside refreshes its collection every three weeks on Friday.

Stylish and engaging as its Western wear, Westside’s Indian wearrange Utsa offers a versatile collection for all ethnic wear needs, while Bombay Paisley delivers contemporary, creative, free-spirited fusion wear. Vark provides coordinated ethnic outfits for modern and opulent occasions, and Zuba offers premium day-wear that is both elegant and understated.

For young, fashion-forward girls, Nuon delivers party-glam and youthful zest. L.O.V caters to those seeking smart and feminine casuals, while Gia offers stylish, comfortable options for curvy women. Wardrobe presents chic, sophisticated workwear for the 9 to 9 lifestyle.

For men,the store offers the WES range that includeseverything from work to weekend wear, along with comfortable urban lounge wear. The Nuon Menrange provides trendy streetwear for fashion-conscious millennials, while E.T.A offers relaxed urban wear with an ethnic twist, drawing inspiration from contemporary Indian styles.

Blending fashion and functionality, Westside’s kidswearcollection offers a charming range of outfits from adorable dresses and stylish tops to cozy knitwear and versatile bottoms for the little ones.

Additionally, the store also offers a footwear collection that seamlessly blends comfort with style. From casual sneakers to elegant heels, sturdy boots, or sporty sandals, Westside has the perfect pair to enhance their customers’ look and confidence.

Vertical e-commerce major Nykaa Fashion aims to triple its revenues in the next three years. The e-commerce platform achieved a GMV of over $400 million in FY24.

Currently, Nyakaa Fashion has a 20 per cent share in the women’s online premium market, as per the company’s annual report, Its orders grew by 44 per cent to 7 million in FY24 and, the company aims to achieve a CAGR of mid-to-late 20s by FY28.

With a 30 per cent online market share, Nykaa also aims to double its store count by FY27. Currently, it operates 187 stores across 68 cities.

The e-tailer also operates 44 warehouses across 16 cities. The company has achieved significant improvement in leakages reducing reverse logistic costs. It is also collaborating with brands to drive fulfilment efficiencies. Its overall marketing costs in the last fiscal remained flat at 11.5 per cent of revenues, with a slight reduction in the fashion business.

According to the annual report, Nykaa’s employee expenses in FY24 reduced to 8.8 per cent of revenues against 9.6 per cent in the previous year. For its fashion business, the company’s investment in employee and fixed costs is expected to grow by 1.4 - 1.5X.

Reliance Retail’s value fashion and lifestyle chain, Smart Bazaar, has expanded its retail presence in Andhra Pradesh by launching its first physical store in Cherukupalli. This new multi-brand store debuted with a variety of special offers for local shoppers.

Offering a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, groceries, kitchenware, and home ware, Smart Bazaar caters to family-focused shoppers with an emphasis on value retail.

In addition to expanding its brick-and-mortar presence, Smart Bazaar is broadening its brand and product selection. The retail chain recently unveiled its summer clothing collection, which includes womens wear such as ethnic kurta sets and casual western wear in bright colors and relaxed silhouettes.

Launched by Reliance Retail, Smart Bazaar specialises in large-format stores and has been expanding into locations previously occupied by Future Group’s Big Bazaar stores. Smart Bazaar now operates in Tier I, II and III cities across India.

World’s largest integrated fabric manufacturer, Raymond plans to expand its apparel and garment manufacturing capacity with an investment of Rs 200 crore.

The company’s strategic expansion will help increase its garmenting capacity by about one-third, aligning with the global ‘China Plus One; strategy adopted by many international brands. Additionally, the capacity augmentation supports the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. It also enables Raymond to become the world’s third-largest suit maker.

GautamHariSinghania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond, says, the company remains committed to delivering value to stakeholders, and is confident of itsability to capitalise on growth opportunities, ensuring sustained success in the future. Thecompany’s three verticals– Lifestyle, Real Estate & Engineering –are aligned with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat,” said Singhania.

Celebrating a landmark year, Raymond achieved its highest-ever annual revenue of Rs 9,286 crore and an EBITDA of Rs1,575 crore in FY’24. This resulted in an impressive growth of 17 per cent in EBITDAmargins

During the year, Raymond focused on expanding its distribution reach by opening over 200 new stores. The company also emphasised premiumisation and casualisation, leading to robust growth of 20 per cent in its Branded Apparel segment, despite a weaker retail industry. This new investment underscores Raymond’s commitment to innovation and growth, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the global apparel industry.

Indian menswear brand, Blackberrys has launched a Father’s Day campaign featuring actor RandeepHooda and his father RanbirHooda.

The campaign starts with the father-son duo shown dressed in Blackberrys attires. Further, Hooda thanks his father sculpting his life and career.

The campaign felicitates the spirit of fearlessness, determination and grit to succeed, in theson and father duo. It lauds RanbirHooda for inspiring his son to be famous and earn respect from the viewers. In the campaign, RanbirHooda also encourages his son to realise his dream and reach for the stars.

Founded in 1991 andowned by Mohan Clothing Company, Blackberrys retails through its website and retail outlets across India.