Expanding its lifestyle portfolio, e-commerce platform, Snapdeal onboarded approximately 1,200 retail brands within the last three months.

Among the notable brands that have joined Snapdeal include Jockey, Rosaline by Zivame, Varanga, House of Ramraj Cotton, John Players, Clovia, Red Tape, Carlton London, Sparx, Campus, and Action.

Himanshu Chakrawarti, CEO, Snapdeal, states, the platform aims is to establish itself as the go-to destination for a value-centric lifestyle.

In the forthcoming two months, the e-tailer aims to include an additional 800 brands. Approximately 95 per cent of the products available on the platform are priced below Rs 1,000, ensuring accessibility and affordability for a broad consumer base.

The recent announcement regarding the restructuring of The Body Shop's UK business will not impact its operations in India, says The Body Shop India.

Operated by franchise partner Quest Retail, the brand's stores in India will continue to operate without any changes.

The administration process initiated pertains solely to The Body Shop UK business and does not affect the global head franchise partners, as clarified by The Body Shop India. Despite the recent developments in the UK, The Body Shop's presence
in India remains unaffected.

Last week, The Body Shop International appointed FRP, a business advisory firm, as administrators for its UK operations, resulting in job cuts and store closures in the UK market. However, the administrators emphasised on the importance of maintaining relationships with key franchise and wholesale partners in Asia, West Asia, and Europe for future success.

Shriti Malhotra, Group CEO - Quest Retail, The Body Shop India, says, all Body Shop stores in India are open as usual, offering customers the opportunity to shop both in-store and online for their favorite products.

Quest Retail, which operates approximately 200 Body Shop stores across India and serves customers in around 1,500 cities through online channels, remains committed to expanding the brand's presence.

Established in 2006, The Body Shop India operates under the umbrella of Quest Retail, focusing on omni-channel expansion and exploring opportunities in retail, quick commerce, and high convenience formats to enhance customer accessibility and brand affinity in the Indian market.

Arvind Fashion Brands has joined hands with cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to introduce premium apparel and accessories brand for men called ‘True Blue.’ This joint endeavor aims to capitalise on the burgeoning menswear market in India.

Set to make its mark with 25-30 stores across the country, True Blue has targeted a turnover of Rs 200 crore over the next 5 years. The brand plans to offer a diverse range of 300 styles inspired by the essence of India, with prices starting from Rs 1,199. The inaugural offline store is scheduled to open in Mumbai in May 2016.

Rajiv Mehta, CEO, Arvind Fashion Brands, says, Arvind's established presence in the retail industry and Tendulkar’s deep-rooted connection to Indian culture will drive this collaboration. True Blue aims to become a revered brand by catering to the contemporary tastes of Indian consumers while preserving traditional elements, he adds.

True Blue's fusion of Indian heritage with modern aesthetics, promises a unique clothing experience imbued with his personal touch, highlights Tendulkar.

A prominent footwear player, Khadim India recorded a significant 62 per cent decline in net profit, amounting to Rs 2 crore ($2,40,981) for the third quarter ending December 2023, compared to Rs 5 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Despite this decline, the company's revenue witnessed a modest 5 per cent increase to Rs 156 crore for the quarter, up from Rs 149 crore in the previous quarter ending December 2022.

Khadim India attributes this to the profit gained on the disposal of immovable properties amounting to Rs 32 million included in Q3FY24 and 9MFY23. The company also highlights its expansion efforts, noting the addition of 79 retail stores in 9M FY24, bringing the total retail presence to 864 stores.

Additionally, the company’s distribution network grew with 69 new distributors, totaling 747 as of 9M FY24.

Looking ahead, Khadim India plans to expand its store network across India, with a focus on premiumisation, an asset-light model, and optimal capacity utilisation.

Known for its own brand value footwear and brands such as Cleo, British Walkers, Lazard, Turk, Sharon, Bonito, and Pro, Khadim India commenced its journey in the 1960s in Kolkata. It made its debut on India's stock exchanges in 2017.

Renowned e-commerce giant, Amazon is gearing up to expand its reach into a fresh market segment by introducing Amazon Bazaar, targeting the budget-conscious Indian consumer, according to a report by the Economic Times. This strategic move comes amidst a slowdown in demand for mass-market goods and a deceleration in Amazon's own growth trajectory.

Amazon Bazaar has commenced the process of enlisting sellers, encouraging them to showcase unbranded fashion and lifestyle items such as clothing, watches, footwear, jewelry, and luggage, all priced below Rs 600. The company's communication to merchants emphasised the opportunity to sell products through Bazaar without incurring additional charges, thus enhancing profitability for businesses.

Competing in this domain, Amazon Bazaar will contend with established players like Meesho, backed by SoftBank, and Flipkart's Shopsy, which have a strong foothold in the low-priced, unbranded product market. Departing from its usual emphasis on fast delivery, Amazon Bazaar targets delivery timelines of two to three days while offering a zero referral fee to merchants, a crucial incentive particularly for products with low average selling prices (ASPs).
A report by research firm Bernstein in January highlighted Amazon India's modest 13 per cent user growth in December 2023, trailing behind competitors like Flipkart and Meesho. To address this competitive landscape and reignite growth, Amazon is recalibrating its strategy in India, adapting to challenges posed by Meesho's market share expansion in segments like fashion and homecare.
The proposed zero referral fee and elimination of closing fees for the Easy Ship service aim to entice merchants to engage with Amazon Bazaar.

Moreover, Amazon recently injected Rs 830 crore into its Indian marketplace entity and Rs 350 crore into Amazon Pay, signaling a renewed commitment to growth in the Indian market after a year-long hiatus.

On a global scale, Amazon faces stiff competition, particularly in the United States, from Chinese online retailers such as Shein and Temu.

In response, Amazon is exploring hyperlocal delivery options and engaging in discussions with brands and sellers to offer faster delivery, especially for homecare and non-grocery daily items categories.

India’s retail sales grew by a mere 5 per cent in January 2024, according to a survey by the Retailers Association of India (RAI).

Despite the festive season, sales growth remained subdued in October and November, surging by only 7 per cent increase, while sales in December grew by 4 per cent resulting in a sluggish October-December quarter for retailers.

The RAI noted a discouraging trend in January 2024, with minimal growth observed across various categories, except for segments like jewellery, food, and grocery, which were buoyed by the marriage season.

Many retailers reported negative growth on a like-for-like basis, particularly in the east and south regions of the country, where consumer demand for discretionary products remained weak.

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India, highlights the challenges faced by retail businesses in January. Even consumer durables and IT retailers experienced hurdles in achieving growth, while garment retailers struggled despite discount offers for non-occasion wear garments, he says.

West India led the growth at 6 per cent, followed by North and South India, each at 5 per cent, and East India trailing behind with only a 3 per cent increase in sales compared to January 2023.

Among categories, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), food and grocery, and jewelry sectors reported the highest growth rates at 9 per cent each, followed by sports goods and beauty products compared to January 2023 sales levels.

Marking a significant step forward for the brand, Flyrobe has opened its newest retail venture in Nashik. This expansion brings Flyrobe's carefully curated selection of designer outfits to the fashion-forward community of Nashik.

The Flyrobe Nashik store aims to revolutionise the fashion scene by offering a wide range of stylish attire for various occasions, from weddings to parties and beyond. With the option to rent high-end designer outfits at reasonable prices, the store enables customers to maintain a fashionable wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Aanchal Saini, CEO, Flyrobe, says the store’s launch reaffirms the brand’s dedication to offer a convenient and affordable platform for individuals to elevate their style. The new store allows customers to explore fashion while promoting sustainability through clothing rental.

Simran Tondulkar, Proprietor, Flyrobe - Nashik, adds, this eco-conscious alternative to traditional fashion redefines elegance while celebrating ethnicity.

Flyrobe Nashik hosted a special event on February 17, 2023 to celebrate the store's launch, Attended by prominent bloggers and influencers, the gathering unfolded as an evening of style, glamour, and networking. Attendees were treated to an exclusive preview of the latest wedding fashion trends for the upcoming season, adding a touch of sophistication to Nashik's fashion landscape.

India’s leading premium menswear brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Louis Philippe has unveiled its latest offering, the ‘Royal Indian Wedding’ collection. Beautifully designed to elevate every groom to regal heights on his special day, this collection epitomises timeless elegance and contemporary flair.

The ‘Royal Indian Wedding’ collection caters to every significant moment of the wedding journey, from pre-wedding photoshoots to grand reception ceremonies. Featuring impeccable three-piece suits, mesmerising bundis, refined bandhgalas, and glam tuxedos, each ensemble is curated in rich black tones with specially stylised lapels, complemented by satin shirts boasting concealed packets and embellished collars.

Crafted from the finest materials, the collection showcases a diverse color palette, including opulent jewel tones like blue, maroon, wine, and teal, as well as subtle hues such as cream and quartz pink, lending a majestic charm to any occasion.

Farida Kaliyadan, COO, Louis Philippe, states, each piece in the collection is meticulously crafted to ensure the wearer exudes royal elegance. The collection reaffirms Louis Philippe’s position as the brand of choice for wedding attire, offering unparalleled quality and design.

The collection is made from super-premium fabrics, ranging from sumptuous silk blends and luxurious velvets to exquisite woollen textiles. The meticulous craftsmanship is evident in the delicate details, including jacquards, intricately hand-embroidered with shimmering accents, the artistry of ‘zari’ work, and delicately interwoven pearls. Every ensemble in the collection radiates matchless elegance and grace, establishing Louis Philippe as the premier choice for wedding attire.

Leading fashion e-commerce platform, Myntra has recently named Venu Nair as its Chief of Strategic Partnerships and Omni-Channel.

With over three decades of experience in retail, sourcing, business analysis, and strategy, Nair joins Myntra to spearhead the company's strategic partnerships and omni-channel initiatives.

In his new capacity, Nair will focus on expanding Myntra's portfolio of international brands, establishing strategic collaborations with globally recognised brands, and overseeing the omni-channel strategy for brands on the platform. His appointment underscores Myntra's dedication to solidifying its position as the preferred strategic partner for top fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands aiming to tap into India's growing market potential.

Nair's extensive background includes serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Shoppers Stop, where he played a crucial role in shaping the company's growth trajectory. Additionally, he held leadership positions overseeing the commercial operations of esteemed brands such as Westside, Zudio, and Landmark during his tenure at Trent Ltd.

Prior to joining Myntra, Nair served as the Managing Director of Marks & Spencer Reliance, where he notably expanded the brand's presence across India, doubling the number of stores and fortifying its business operations.

A graduate of NIT Calicut, Nair holds a Bachelor of Technology (Honors) degree, and an MBA in Marketing from SPJIMR, Mumbai.

Footwear giant Birkenstock is celebrating its 250th year by expanding its presence in India. The brand recently opened a new 1,100 sq ft store in Noida's Mall of India, marking another step in its global anniversary store opening program.

This new store caters to the Delhi NCR region and showcases Birkenstock's commitment to offering its iconic footwear to a wider audience. Customers can explore classic designs like Arizona, Gizeh, Madrid, and Boston, alongside newer styles like Bend, Uji, and Stalon.

Jens Hattab, Regional Managing Director, Birkenstock says, this opening reflects the brand’s aim to increase presence in key markets and make its footwear accessible to patrons across the country.

Vinay Bansal, Managing Director, Birkenstock India, adds, the store offers the perfect fusion of foot health and style. The inauguration of the store represents not only the brand's commitment to expanding its footprint in India but also its dedication to offering high-quality footwear that merges comfort with style.