D2C brand, The Souled Store, plans to strengthen its activities in collaboration with checkout platform Simpl.

The partnership will enable consumers to access official merchandise from The Souled Store platform (app and website) through Simpl’s 1-tap checkout. It will provide them with a seamless shopping experience besides enhancing the brand’s conversion rates. It will also minimise The Souled Store’s transaction failures, cash-on-delivery transactions and product returns.

Vedang Patel, Co-founder, The Souled Store, says, the e-commerce platform aims to provide make shopping experience more convenient for its millennial and Gen Z customers.”

Nitya Sharma, Founder CEO, Simpl adds, the partnership also expands the platform’s presence in the fashion e-commerce sector with hundreds of merchants choosing Simpl as their preferred checkout partner checkout.

Co-founded by Vedang Patel, Aditya Sharma, Rohin Samtaney, and Harsh Lal, The Souled Store designs, manufactures and retails apparel products on pop-culture themes such as superheroes, movies, and television shows. 

Soch, India's premier occasion wear brand, celebrates its 175th store opening in Chennai's Pondy Bazaar, marking its largest establishment nationwide.

With a presence in 68 cities and an expansive e-commerce platform covering 30,000 pin codes,

Soch continues to grow through standalone stores, online channels, and strategic partnerships with platforms like Amazon, Myntra, and Ajio.

Walmart-owned Flipkart is restructuring its operations by trimming its workforce by around 7 per cent by April this year.

The e-commerce company has also frozen fresh hiring since the past year to control costs. It currently has 22,000 employees, excluding fashion portal person. It has also postponed its plans to launch an IPO.

The proposed restructuring at Flipkart comes at a time when it is reassessing existing and new lines of business. The company plans to invest in the hotel business of Cleartrip, the travel portal acquired by the group in 2021

Last September, the e-commerce company merged key technology and product roles of its new businesses, Cleartrip (travel) and Flipkart Health Plus (epharmacy), into the core commerce team to streamline operations.

Flipkart-owned Myntra cut at least 50 jobs in July, as it wanted to focus on its top private labels. The company plans to continue focusing on the grocery segment besides expanding its social commerce business Shopsy.

Besides, Flipkart plans to venture into the fintech space through Supermoney, a firm in which the e-tailer has investment around $20 million.

Chennai-based mall Phoenix Marketcity launched a multi-brand Sneaker Fest on January 02, 2023.

Coinciding with the mall’s End of Season sale that concludes on Jan ’07, the promotional event runs until January 11, 2023 and will drive footfalls in the shopping centre.

The event offers upto 50 per cent discounts on footwear by a wide range of brands including Reebok, Clarks, Adidas, Asics, Lifestyle, Aldo, Puma, Mochi, Hush Puppies, H&M and Shoppers Stop, etc in numerous footwear categories.

To engage the city’s shoppers and promote the sneaker culture, actress Ritika Singh plans to host an interactive event on January 6. She will showcase the sneakers featuring in the event

Run by retail and mixed-use real estate development business Phoenix Mills, the Phoenix Marketcity mall houses a range of Indian and international brands along with dining and entertainment facilities.

Phoenix Mills also runs malls in locations including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune in joint venture with Crest Ventures.

05 January 2024, Mumbai

India's retail landscape in 2023 resembled a Bollywood blockbuster – vibrant, dynamic, and full of unexpected twists.

Malls and high streets, once locked in a fierce rivalry, now waltz to different tunes, navigating distinct growth stories and challenges. But the ever-present ghost of e-commerce lurks in the background, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.

Let's delve into the data-driven saga, adorned with captivating case studies, to understand this dynamic sector.

Mall Mania: A Cautious Comeback with Ambitious Steps in 2024

• Footfall Frenzy: After a pandemic plunge, mall footfall soared 42% in 2023, yet a cautious 8% shy of pre-pandemic levels. (Source: ICSC) Bangalore's Phoenix Marketcity, however, bucked the trend, exceeding pre-pandemic footfall by 15% through curated events and experiential offerings like art installations and live music.
• Luxury Leads the Charge: The segment glittered with a 15% expansion in top malls compared to a 7% average. Delhi's DLF Emporio, with its recent Louis Vuitton and Dior flagship openings, exemplifies this trend, catering to India's burgeoning luxury appetite.
• Tier 2 Triumph: In a captivating twist, Tier 2 cities like Lucknow and Jaipur witnessed a 27% surge in mall openings compared to metros. Phoenix Palassio in Lucknow showcases this shift, attracting major brands with its prime location and modern amenities.

In 2024, experiential offerings maybe the key to attracting and retaining customers.

High Street Hustle: Local Charm Meets Data-Driven Sizzle in 2024

• Neighborhood Nirvana: High streets saw a 38% footfall increase compared to 2022, fueled by convenience and a wider price range. Mumbai's Hill Road, a bustling bazaar, exemplifies this, offering everything from street food to high-end boutiques, all within walking distance.
• F&B Fiesta: Food and beverage outlets, the retail equivalent of Bollywood masala, grew by 24% on high streets. Chennai's Anna Salai, with its diverse cafes and restaurants, illustrates this trend, catering to the ever-hungry Indian consumer.
• Data Drives Decisions: Smart retailers like Fabindia on Jaipur's Bapu Bazaar are leveraging data analytics to personalize offers and optimize store layouts, resulting in a 12% sales increase compared to non-data-driven peers. (Source: Retailers Association of India)

In 2024, expect to see this trend amplified, with high streets embracing data analytics to personalize offers, optimize layouts, and cater to specific customer preferences.

Cityscapes: A Canvas of Contrasts and Convergence in 2024

• Metro Might: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai maintained their dominance, attracting 62% of all major brand store openings in 2023. (Source: Colliers International) Bengaluru's Koramangala, with its trendy stores and vibrant nightlife, epitomizes this, drawing young professionals and global brands.
• Tier 2 Tunes In: Tier 2 cities like Pune and Hyderabad saw a 58% increase in high-street retail activity, signaling their emergence as alternative destinations. Pune's MG Road, with its mix of traditional shops and modern malls, demonstrates this trend, catering to diverse tastes and budgets.
• Small Towns Simmer: Even smaller towns witnessed a 23% rise in retail activity, fueled by government infrastructure projects and rising disposable incomes. Shillong's Police Bazaar, with its local markets and new shopping centers, exemplifies this growth, catering to a burgeoning tourist market.

Metros like Mumbai and Delhi will continue to dominate brand openings in 2024, but Tier 2 cities like Pune and Hyderabad are expected to challenge their reign. Smaller towns, too, will see a rise in retail activity, driven by government initiatives and increasing disposable incomes.

Challenges and the E-commerce Tango: A Delicate Dance in 2024

While the future glimmers, obstacles remain. Malls grapple with high rentals and operational costs, while high streets face unorganized infrastructure and parking woes.

Both sectors must contend with the ever-present e-commerce behemoth, constantly innovating to bridge the physical-digital divide.

E-commerce: The Ghost at the Feast

The rise of e-commerce casts a long shadow on the physical retail landscape. While convenient and offering wider selection, it lacks the tactile experience and social interaction that physical stores provide.

• Click-and-collect: Malls like Mumbai's Palladium are offering click-and-collect options, allowing online shoppers to pick up their purchases in-store, blurring the lines between physical and digital.
• Omnichannel strategies: High streets like Khan Market in Delhi are integrating online platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp for promotions and personalized customer service, bridging the

In 2024, expect to see more seamless integration of online and offline experiences, personalized customer journeys, and a focus on building brand loyalty through unique offerings.

Outlook for 2024: Can They Find Harmony?

The year 2024 promises to be a pivotal one for Indian retail. The mall recovery will continue, fueled by experiential offerings and luxury, while the high streets will leverage data and local charm to stay relevant.

Tier 2 cities and smaller towns will emerge as new battlegrounds, and the e-commerce tango will intensify. So, can malls and high streets find harmony in this dynamic landscape? The answer likely lies in their ability to adapt, innovate, and offer experiences that e-commerce simply cannot replicate.

Whether they succeed in the delicate dance with the digital behemoth remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Indian retail saga is far from over, and 2024 promises to be a thrilling chapter filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Gist

1. Metros Dominate with 62%
2. Tier 2 Cities Rise by 58%
3. Smaller Towns See 23% Growth

Latest Textile Events

Jayanti Reddy has expanded her retail presence by opening a new store in Mumbai. Spread across 2,850 sq ft in the Kala Ghoda district, the store has been designed by Mouna Reddy.

Blending grey and brown colors with shades of gold, the interiors of the store are designed in wood, textured stone, brushed brass, and hand-embroidered panels to balance minimalism with heritage.

Embracing the old-world charm of space, the store seamlessly merges minimalist, contemporary elements. Spanning two floors, the store has a grand wooden entrance that welcomes visitors into a space blends fashion and art. The muted walls and floor tones emphasise the designers’ creativity.

The unique pink stone cladding and the brass partition with hand-embroidered panels at the entrance of the store resonate with Reddy’s philosophy of material interplay.

The store represents the idea of quiet luxury in the world of Indian fashion.

Expanding its footprint in India, Uniqlo has launched its 13th store in the country in Faridabad.

A part of the Japanese retail holding company Fast Retailing Company, Uniqlo now has over 2,400 stores worldwide across Asia, Europe and North America. It plans to expand to various cities in India.

Uniqlo set up its production office in Bengaluru in 2016 before launching its first Indian store in New Delhi in October 2019. Since, then, the brand has opened two stores in quick succession in Mumbai.

The brand sees India as a long-term market and has been on a learning spree since the first store launch. It has been looking for the right partners and locations, understanding customer demand, operations, logistics and, most importantly, developing internal teams,says Tomohiko Sei, CEO, Uniqlo India.

At the core of the brand is its concept of LifeWear, a range of high-quality clothing made to be worn many times. Prioritising quality and durability, the brand focuses on reducing waste and improving the longevity of its garments.

MiniKlub, a leading kidswear brand, achieves a milestone with the inauguration of its flagship store in Bhopal.

Positioned as India's go-to hub for top-notch children's fashion, the store in Arera Colony emphasizes a commitment to offering a diverse range of baby essentials, kids fashion, and more.

The brand, established in 2013, has rapidly expanded its presence across 28 cities, emphasizing sustainability in its manufacturing processes.

In a dynamic move, VIP Clothing, the well known innerwear brand, has successfully entered over 25,000 outlets and now sets its sights on a grand expansion to reach an impressive 40,000 outlets in the future. Under Sunil Pathare, Chairman and Managing Director, VIP Clothing is not merely expanding its reach but also making significant strides in diversifying its product portfolio.

An exciting venture on the horizon is the expansion of its women's range, VIP Feelings, into the untapped markets of West and North India. Pathare envisions capturing the essence of the evolving Indian lingerie industry, which is embracing openness and confidence, and plans to translate this evolution into unique store solutions and designs.

What sets VIP Clothing apart is its proactive approach to technology integration. In a bid to outpace the competition, the brand is investing heavily in cutting-edge advancements. The future holds promises of interactive store displays, AI-driven customer service, and state-of-the-art inventory management systems. Pathare emphasizes the importance of staff training to seamlessly adopt these innovations, ensuring that the brand stays at the forefront of technological excellence.

As VIP Clothing charts its course for expansion, it continues to adeptly navigate regulatory complexities and remains steadfast in its commitment to acquiring new talent. The brand's dedication to fostering the development of fresh perspectives aligns with its keen understanding of market dynamics, propelling it toward a future where innovation, talent, and market acumen converge for unparalleled success. VIP Clothing isn't just envisioning the future; it's actively shaping it with a bold and visionary approach.