Garment Mantra Lifestyle Ltd, previously Junction Fabrics & Apparels Ltd, has unveiled a premium men’s apparel line specifically designed for the Gulf countries. This strategic move marks the company's expanded focus on men’s wear, a departure from its traditional emphasis on ladies' and kids' wear.

Prem Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, expressed excitement over this milestone, noting the company's aim to expand its footprint in the overseas market by catering to the latest trends and demands. Developed in Tirupur in collaboration with overseas buyers, the apparel line is tailored to meet the tastes and preferences of Gulf consumers.

The company is optimistic about the line's success, anticipating its market entry in the upcoming quarter. This initiative is seen as a significant step in increasing Garment Mantra Lifestyle's presence in the global fashion industry.

The newly launched resort wear range by luxury women’s occasion wear designer Neeta Lulla offers feminine and playful designs for the summer season.

Titled, ‘Nisshk by House of Neeta Lulla,’ the fusion wear range combines luxurious fabrics with effortless elegance. The collection offers an ideal range for all getaways, occasions and events.

A few of the notable pieces from the collection include palazzo pants, fringed demi-sheer ponchos, glittery sharara sets, and layers of tulle frills on dramatic evening coats.

A blend of vintage and modern elements, the collection is designed in pure white with a few shades of black.

Launched on Lulla’s direct-to-customer e-commerce store as well as the brand’s flagship store store in Bandra, Mumbai, the collection is designed to ease the transition of the wearer from the beach to the restaurant and beyond.

Spanish footwear and fashion brand Hoff has signed an agreement with Myntra to foray into the Indian market.

Known for its stylish sneakers, Hoff plans to also open new stores in the Middle East, including a franchise in Doha, Qatar. Having achieved a €55 million turnover during its recently concluded fiscal 2023-24, Hoff aims to achieve €100 million in revenues by 2025.

Based in Elche (Alicante), the brand debuted with online operations but gained a significant offline presence gradually. The brand currently generations 45 per cent of its revenues from the multi-brand channel, supported by its retail operations. Hoff operates 18 stores in Spain and has expanded internationally with self-managed boutiques in major European cities like London, Paris, Porto, Lisbon, and Maasmechelen, as well as franchised outlets in Colombia, Panama, and Chile.

To bolster its growth, Hoff has recently appointed Sergio Odriozola, Banana Republic, as its new general manager. He will lead the company’s internationalisation and product development efforts in close collaboration with Fran Marchena, Founder and CEO.

American denim brand Levi’s has opened the world’s largest mall store in Pacific Mall in New Delhi.

Spread across 9,000 sqft, the store is the brand’s largest store in India and the fifth largest store in the world, as per a report by IndiaRetailing.

The store offers the most enriching customer experience, a wide range of products and word-class services to consumers in the Delhi-NCR neighborhood, says AbhinavAgarwal, Head-Business Development, Levi Stauss and Co.

Known for its Levi’s brand of denim jeans, clothing company Levi Strauss and Co was founded in 1853. The company houses brands like Levi’s, Dockers, Beyond Yoga, Denizen, and Signature with products available in over 110 countries and more than 45,000 retail outlets.

India’s retail secstor is witnessing a significant shift as major players like Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL), Arvind, and V-Mart move away from deep discounting to prioritize profitability. This comes amidst a slowdown in retail sales growth, which has fallen year-on-year for every month in FY24 (as per Retailers Association of India or RAI) and continues at a sluggish 4-7 per cent pace in the current year. In fact, despite heavy discounts for the past year and a half, consumer spending hasn't shown significant improvement. This suggests a potential disconnect between discount strategies and actual consumer purchasing habits.

For the past year and a half, retailers heavily relied on discounts to counter sluggish demand. However, this strategy proved ineffective in boosting sales. V-Mart, a department store chain focused on smaller towns, acknowledges this, stating a shift towards ‘internal capability’ for sustainable growth instead of relying on steroids like heavy discounts.

Fashion/apparel sector in focus

The fashion and apparel industry is a prime example of this shift. Companies like Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) and Madura Fashion (with brands like Louis Philippe and Van Heusen) are actively reducing discounts. As Shailesh Chaturvedi, Managing Director, Arvind Fashions explains, they deliver at the prices that they want and not heavy discounting, etc. So there's a sort of healthier and long-term business.

Madura Fashion too successfully cut discounts by 500 basis points in the latter half of FY24, focusing on controlled inventory and prioritizing profitability. Vishak Kumar, CEO, Madura Fashion says, they realised they were well placed with their inventory and didn't see much elasticity in discounting.

One major reason why discounts are not working right is consumers, especially post-pandemic, seem to be seeking more than just low prices. They are increasingly valuing factors like brand experience, product quality, and ethical sourcing. Retailers are adapting by emphasizing these aspects to build customer loyalty and encourage full-priced purchases.

The impact is felt across segments. While luxury brands might have more buffer for manoeuvring prices, value and mid-range segments traditionally rely heavily on discounts. Retailers are exploring ways to cater to these segments without relying solely on price cuts. Meanwhile, constant discounting can significantly impact a company's financial health. By reducing reliance on discounts, retailers aim to improve margins and achieve sustainable growth. This shift can lead to healthier businesses and potentially better product offerings in the long run.

While discounts might not disappear entirely, a more calculated approach is likely to emerge. Retailers might utilize strategic promotions and loyalty programs to incentivize purchases without sacrificing profitability.

Regulations and the evolving landscape

The government too is considering regulations to curb predatory pricing practices by e-commerce giants, potentially impacting the overall discounting scenario in the retail sector.

The Indian retail landscape is witnessing a potential paradigm shift. As retailers prioritize profitability, deep discounts might take a backseat. This shift, coupled with changing consumer behavior and a focus on brand value, could lead to a more sustainable and competitive retail environment in the long run.

UK-based fashion brand, Urbanic has launched a range titled Savana for Gen Z women. Focusing on modern trends, Savana uses proprietary AI production procedures to reduce inventory waste and support sustainability.

The rangeenables Urbanic to adjust to developing consumer preferences. Summarising the spirit of modern fashion while staying committed to quality and innovation, the range strives to empower young women to express themselves through their style. It provides them a variety of fashion-forward choices that conform to their lifestyle,” shared James Wellwood, Founder, Urbanic.

Savana’sdebut collection offers a wide range of styles designed to suit every feature of a young woman’s life, from informal daywear to refined evening attire. Each piece of the collection is designed to make the consumer not only look good and be comfortable in her attire.

Launched from June 07, 2024 onwards, Lifestyle’s Sale of the Season offers the best of Spring-Summer vibes by presenting floral prints and pastel hues. Offering upto 50 per cent discounts on the latest systems across top fashion brands, the sale presents an extensive collection of latest trends and fashion choices from leading national and international brands.

The displayed collection comprises schiffli and crochet dresses, vintage blooms coord-sets, stylish denim trends for women, and an extensive range of printed shirts, all-new loose fit pants, and quirky tees for men being up for grabs at exciting discounts.

The sale presents the latest trends from over 100 national and international brands including Melange, Ginger, Forca, Code, AND,Biba, Global Desi, Jack & Jones, Indian Terrain, Park Avenue, Pepe Jeans, Puma, Adidas, Fossil, Armani Exchange, etc.

The sale offers SBI credit card holders an instant 5 per cent discount on n minimum shopping of Rs. 7,000.

Valid across all Lifestyle Stores, the collection is also available on the brand’s website, www.lifestylestores.com, and on the Lifestyle app for Android and iPhone users.

The recently opened third store of leading artisanal lifestyle brand Jaypore from ABRFL takes customers through an immersive journey through India’s unique artisan heritage.

Located in the GVK Mall, the 1,675 sqftstore pays a tribute to the vibrant Phulkari art from Punjab. The store’s façade invites visitors to explore the diverse crafts within. Jaypore has collaborated with artisans from over 30 craft clusters across India to ensure that the store not just preserves traditional techniques and patterns but also adapts to customers’ contemporary tastes.

The new store marks a significant milestone for both Jaypore and ABFRL, says SoorajBhat, CEO-Ethnic Business, ABFRL. It offers a wide range of products including women’s and men’s apparel, exquisite home décor, jewelry and accessories. India’s legacy crafts such as Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Chanderi and Benarasiare showcased in the store’s apparel range.

The home décor section features ceramics, brass Prabhavalis, Kansa serveware, and block-printed soft linens, while the jewelry section offers tribal silver, Kundan, and temple-inspired pieces exuding timeless elegance.

Meticulously designed to provide a complete retail experience, Jaypore stores nurture a personal connection of the shoppers with Indian art by showcasing the works ofthe Indian artisan community on its walls. Each aspect of the brand’s stores is carefully chosen to highlight the delicate creativity of handcrafted finds and high-quality craftsmanship, all set against an earthy backdrop. The brand’s ‘Made in India, Made with Pride’message reinforces its efforts to bring India closer to the world, extending the artisans' traditions to international audiences.

As Prime Minister NarendraModi begins his third term, the Northern India Textile Mills’ Association (NITMA) reaffirms its commitment to bolstering India’s global stature in textiles and apparel. NITMA President Sanjay Garg expressed confidence in Modi’s leadership, believing it will lead to new milestones and a brighter future for the nation.

Garg emphasized the importance of a strong partnership with the government to tackle industry challenges such as raw material security, infrastructure development, and skill enhancement. He highlighted the role of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable growth and economic prosperity.

In a congratulatory message, Garg praised Modi's visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to India's progress. He also lauded government initiatives like RoDTEP, RoSCTL, the PLI scheme, and the PM MITRA parks, which have fostered infrastructure development, investment, and employment in the textile sector. Garg extended heartfelt congratulations to Modi, crediting his leadership for India’s accelerated development and global economic standing.

At a Samvad interaction held at the Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC) head office in Mumbai, Manoj Kumar, Chairman, said, the commission has prepared a complete roadmap to take Khadi from a local level to the global in collaboration with the government of India.

The commission is implementing various schemes for the skill development of the artisans to ensure they succeed success in field of village industry and employment.

The organisationalso aims to launch the ‘SilaiSamriddhiYojana’ initiative for women to boost women’s employment in the sector. It has launched numerous programs to contribute to the economic development of India’s both rural and urban areas.

To achieve Prime Minister NarenderModi’s goal of a ‘Developed India’ by 2047, KVIC plans to expand the 'Khadi Gram SwarajAbhiyan' to each Indian village, reiterates Kumar.

According to KVIC, sales of khadi products have increased four-fold leading to an improving in the financial conditions of rural artisans. Over the last 10 years, artisans wages have increased by 233 per cent, making the sector an attractive career choice, reports the organisation.

Tata Group's Zudio is rapidly becoming a household name in India, outpacing established sibling Westside in terms of store count. So what's the secret behind Zudio's success? Zudio boasts of impressive figures, selling a staggering 90 T-shirts and 20 pairs of denims every minute during FY24. This translates to a highly engaged customer base and a well-curated product selection.

With 545 stores across 161 cities by FY24, Zudio has surpassed Westside's 232 stores in 91 cities. This aggressive expansion indicates a strong focus on accessibility and market penetration.

Strategic advantages

Zudio's success lies in its ability to understand and cater to the specific needs of the Indian market.

Focus on affordability: Zudio caters to the price-conscious Indian consumer. Competitive pricing and trendy designs make it an attractive alternative to international fast-fashion brands.

Localization: Unlike global players, Zudio prioritizes sourcing materials from within India. This allows for faster turnaround times, catering to local fashion preferences, and potentially lower costs.

Minimized lead times: Zudio prioritizes getting fresh collections into stores quickly, keeping pace with ever-changing trends. This strategy keeps customers engaged and coming back for more.

Unlike international brands like Zara and H&M, Zudio caters specifically to Indian tastes. It incorporates classic Indian silhouettes and styles into their collections, resonating better with domestic consumers. Also, the focus is on Tier II and III cities, where the demand for trendy yet affordable fashion is high but underserved by international brands. By sourcing locally, Zudio reduces lead times and transportation costs, allowing quicker response to trends and competitive pricing. Moreover, building strong relationships with domestic suppliers ensures consistent quality and reliable production.

What’s more, the company leverages technology in several ways. For example, inventory management systems optimizes stock levels and reduces wastage. Zudio could also analyze customer purchase data to identify trends and tailor product offerings accordingly for more success. An online presence is another avenue for growth, although the current focus seems to be on physical stores.

Zudio's success story is a testament of its understanding of the Indian market. By focusing on affordability, speed, and localization, Zudio has established itself as a major player in the Indian fast-fashion landscape. Their strategic use of sourcing and potential use of technology further solidify their position as a formidable force in the industry.

Online women’s fashion brand The Loom, plans to increase its revenues from Rs 120 crore in the last fiscal to Rs 200 crore this fiscal. Around 10 per cent of its revenue will be achieved from the offline channel, say KomalGoel and AmanGoel, Co-founders. It currently earns 15 per cent of its revenues from international orders, they add.

The brand recently opened its first store in Delhi. It plans to expand further by opening five company-owned and company-operated stores in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

By the end of the next fiscal, The Loom aims to take its total storecount to 25. Each of these stores will span across 1,000 sq ft-1,500 sqft and entail and investment of Rs 1 crore each. They will stock 400-500 products from the curated marketplace that offers 40,000 handpicked products from over 1,000 designers along with its private label.

Apart from this, the brand also plans to expand its production unit in Delhi to 40,000 sq from the current 22,000 sqft by January 2025. The production capacity of this unit will be expanded from 15,000-20,000 products per month to 50,000-600, 000 with an investment of Rs 3 crore.

Currently, The Loom enjoys an EBITDA of 12-15 per cent. It plans to seek strategic investments for future offline expansion.