Bengaluru-based tech and integrated manufacturing retail company Ace Turtle, which operates well-known brands like Lee, Wrangler, Toys ‘R’ Us, Babies ‘R’ Us, and Dockers in India, plans to double its revenue to Rs 1,000 crore by FY 2027-28. Nitin Chhabra, CEO, informs, the company aims to grow each of its brands to Rs 500 crore by FY 2035.
Founded in 2014, Ace Turtle has witnessed rapid growth, with revenue more than doubling in FY23 compared to the previous year. The company’s tech-driven approach, which eliminates middlemen and ensures price parity across channels, has contributed to the profitability of brands like Lee and Wrangler by FY24. Initially launched as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, Ace Turtle has since evolved into a licensing and franchise model, becoming the India franchisee for several global brands.
Despite challenges in the fashion apparel market, Ace Turtle managed to grow its top line by 30 per cent in FY23, defying market trends. The company has shifted its focus to enhancing supply chain efficiency and developing algorithms that can predict sales with up to 88 per cent accuracy. Improving supply chain operations remains a priority, as Chhabra believes, retail margins will increasingly depend on operational efficiency.
In addition to supply chain innovations, Ace Turtle leverages advanced AI systems to track customer behavior and product performance in its stores. The company has also developed an in-house app, Connect, to streamline operations such as employee attendance and training. Although Ace Turtle has no plans to return to the SaaS business, it remains focused on improving its tech development speed and solving internal challenges.
Chhabra also highlights the evolving retail landscape in India, with offline sales gaining momentum after an initial surge in online sales post-pandemic. Ace Turtle is committed to data governance, ensuring strict compliance with customer consent protocols and transitioning to a hybrid cloud model to enhance data security. The company is making its tech stack cloud-agnostic, currently using both Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud.
Looking ahead, Ace Turtle plans to introduce a new international brand in January 2025, with intentions to launch one new global brand each year. The company aims to expand its portfolio beyond fashion and into other sectors, positioning itself as a leader in the rapidly evolving Indian retail market. Emphasising on the importance of technology in building a future-proof business model, Chhabra highlights the need for experimentation and quick adaptation to consumer behavior.
