DFU Publications

A pioneer B2B media and publication platform connecting with Fashion Brands & Retail in India

COVID-19: Indian fashion designers seek banks’ help to recover losses

The biggest crisis till date for the apparel and fashion industry, the COVID-19 outbreak is also likely to have a deep impact on Indian designers. As Sandeep Khosla of prominent label Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla (AJSK) points out designers are likely to lose the ability to be employers and safeguard their workforce. Rahul Mishra, India’s fir... Read more

CMAI survey reflects a bleak future for the industry post-lockdown

Deeply concerned with the economic impact of the lockdown caused by COVID-19, CMAI conducted a survey among members to find out how they were facing the current circumstances; what is their forecast for the period post lockdown. The association analysed responses of around 1,500 members which indicated that a significant crisis is brewing in the d... Read more

CEO Conclave: Global Investment and Partnership Summit

Digital platforms become the new modes of interaction for Indian brands

Brick and mortar retailers across India have adopted a guarded approach to the massive growth of e-commerce platforms in India. However, to address the concerns of all parties including consumers, they need to build a more cooperative relationship between these online retailers. Growth in digital and telecom infrastructure made internet affordable... Read more

Brands face near term losses as retailers shut stores due to COVID 19

With the COVID -19 virus rapidly crawling into the skin of humanity worldwide, apparel brands and retail companies are likely to be severely impacted in the near term as government orders shut down malls, shops etc and initiates lock-down across states. In this uncertainty, near-term growth may see sharp deceleration given higher concentration of ... Read more

India’s e-commerce competition heats up as Reliance joins the race

The Indian e-commerce sector, which saw several ups and downs in the past decade, has completely transformed the shopping patterns of consumers. Though the sector’s growth slowed around the middle of last year, it eventually regained pace and grew particularly in Tier II and III cities. This growth was led by two of India’s largest e-co... Read more

Coronavirus threatens retail jobs, revenue growth in India

The Retailers Association of India (RAI) says, COVID-19 pandemic amid an economic slowdown has hit revenue at Indian retailers selling non essential items like clothes and jewellery by 75 percent so far and is likely to cause widespread job losses. About 40 per cent of the six million employees working in India's modern retail sector could likely... Read more

Despite FDI relaxations, single brand retailers choose local partners for…

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently clarified that single brand retailers, owned by foreign companies, can fulfill their local sourcing requirements by procuring goods produced in units based in special economic zones (SEZs). It further clarified these goods to be sourced by the single brand retailers need t... Read more

Tracking the imaginative approach to a Fabindia's evolution

Shubha Patvardhan, Professor of management at the UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, and J Ramachandran from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore in their award-winning paper ‘Shaping the Future: Strategy Making as Artificial Evolution’ put forward a unique idea that to successfully shape their futures, ... Read more

Tjori dedicates itself to beauty and strength of traditional Indian herit…

With its rich traditions and culture, love for ethnic wear never fades in India. Though many new trends and styles have been introduced lately, ethnic wear continues to be the garment of choice for Indian consumers, especially during festivals. “Another factor that attracts young Indians to ethnic wear is the influence of celebrities and soci... Read more

With innovative collections, Lotto to focus on retail expansion in Tier I…

With its name derived from the last name of its founders, Lotto is synonymous with technological and design innovation in the world of sports. The brand has created a niche for itself in Indian sportswear by targeting value segment customers. It’s recent launches Dinamica and Breeze offer lifestyle products for customers seeking more options ... Read more

Hail Women: Transforming looks with unique collections

Incepted in 2018, Hail Women-an online women’s high fashion professional wear startup aims to end morning wardrobe struggles of all working women. Offering an array of Western formal business attire including dresses, skirts, all-day tops, blouses, trousers and suits, the brand offers clothes inspired by European style. “Modern yet clas... Read more

Ruff to focus on domestic and international retail expansion

Recent innovations like colored jackets, trendy blazers and fancy denim jackets have helped Ruff to maintain its futuristic outlook. Launched in 1980, Ruff is the first brand in the country to address the needs of kids segment. “Venturing into casual wear for boys in 1995, we have never looked back since then,” notes Sohail Patca, Direc... Read more

North Mist eyes the international market with new products

India’s first organic cotton menswear brand NorthMist, has mostly stayed pivotal to its initial ranges of products. However, now, the brand plans to diversify its product range. “We plan to launch women’s wear and a recycled cotton sweatshirt collection in the next few months,” notes Arijit Mazumdar, Founder & CEO of the... Read more

New technologies, cost-effectiveness to boost Indian textile business

Having 15 offices and 500 professional employees across India, IIGM is India’s leading technology and service provider. The company, which recently participated in the GTE exhibition, offers embroidery, CAD systems, sewing, automation or cutting. To this, the company recently added new products like exhaust fans, cooling systems, electrificat... Read more

Customized saris, signature collections, Odhni woos women ethnic wear

Preference for ethnic wear for festivals, weddings and other special occasions besides daily wear has given a huge boost to the segment. Keeping this in view, ethnic wear brand Odhni launches two new collections every month alongwith special collections during festivals periods. The brand recently launched an exclusive signature collection &l... Read more

Wrangler’s new Traveler Lite denim is a combination of comfort and style

This season Wrangler launches “Traveler Lite Jeans”, widening their best-selling range “Traveler”. Traveler uses a knit-fabric combination that looks like denim but feel like sweat pants. With the new addition of Traveler Lite, the brand has notched up comfort quotient by using innovative knit fabric made with hollow yarn, m... Read more

Rangriti taps growing demand for ethnic wear with accelerated retail grow…

Offering traditional clothes with a modern twist has been the USP of ethnic wear brand Rangriti which recently launched a new range of fashion jewelry across India. The brand, established to cater to the middles class, offers jackets, kurtas, shrugs, Indie tops, bottom wear like palazzos, skirts, fusion pants, slim pants, stoles, scarves and ethnic... Read more

Women’s wear brand AKS Clothing to continue focus on in e-commerce

Nidhi Yadav, Founder and Creative Head of AKS Clothing believes brand building is a committed, persistent and intellectual exercise. The brand, which recently launched three new collections, offers premium fast fashion at affordable rates. “Our products include capes, tunics, long maxi with collars, lehengas, indo-western tops and spaghetti k... Read more

Neva Garments launches new SweatfFree Spring Summer collection 2020

Neva Garments recently launched a new Sweatfree technology treated activewear collection for people suffering from excessive sweating. Made from R|Elan Kooltex 2.0 fabric, the garments in this collection absorb sweat from a person’s skin and transfer it to the upper layer of fabric from where it evaporates into the air. This enables a person ... Read more

Ethnicity brings Indian fashion alive with new collections

Being ‘India inspired; Ethnicity aims to offer exceptional shopping experiences to enliven Indian expression of fashion. The brand, which plans to launch a new festive collection soon, introduces capsule collections inspired by Indian art forms every fortnight. “We fulfill rising demand of our customers by offering them a good mix of tr... Read more

Shingora to increase online presence, cover more regions across India

Starting with a single handloom in 1976, Shingora has come a long way to become a premium luxury brand. A leading manufacturer of scarves, shawls, throw blankets, cushion covers, shrugs, ponchos, ties and belts, the Shingora recently launched a new collection focusing on duppattas. “Made from a wide range of colors, designs and techniques, th... Read more

The commandments in the retail & business of Fashion

Abhay Gupta, Founder & CEO – Luxury Connect and Author of the book ‘The Incredible Indian Luxury Bazaar’ recently alluded his thoughts on the evolving scenario in the luxury landscape. With the rapidly evolving consumer taste and changing preferences, brands and stylists alike are struggling to keep pace. An onrush of gl... Read more

Uniqlo to expand to Mumbai and Bangalore

After three stores in New Delhi, Uniqlo is now looking to open stores in Mumbai and Bangalore. The Japanese apparel retailer has exceeded its targets by 30 per cent in value terms. In winter, a lot of products went out of stock by mid-December and the retailer had to airship products multiple times. As of now Uniqlo sources from India cotton shir... Read more

India’s luxury market grew at six per cent

India’s luxe market is growing at 6.6 per cent. Hermes’ revenue from operations in India rose 11 per cent from the previous year. Net profit increased 55 per cent. Louis Vuitton’s net profit in India rose 24.5 per cent in fiscal 2019. However Christian Dior which deals in leather bags, fashion apparel and accessories reported a ne... Read more

Pahwa Group: Ensuring comfort for garment workers since the last 30 years

A well-entrenched global group known to offer “End-to-End Solutions in Air Treatment”. One of the fastest growing adsorption technology groups in the world today, the Pahwa Group focuses on energy smart and green technologies. Operating within a broad framework of 'environment and energy', the group offers advanced environmental control... Read more

India could exploit the opportunity presented by Coronavirus

The Coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak in China is likely to affect Indian textile and apparel industry, in many positive ways. A recent press release by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) reveals, the prevailing situation along with uncertainty over the commencement of production is posing a major issue for Indian manufacturers wh... Read more

H&M to make inroads small town India

H&M plans to expand its presence in Tier II and III cities of India. The brand is seeing a growing demand for its apparel beyond metros. At present, almost 50 per cent of its store presence is in Tier II cities while the rest in metros. The Swedish retailer, which has 47 stores across the country, has aggressively expanded in India over the las... Read more

Women’s brand Mustard Fashion to expand retail across India and beyond

Never losing its focus on quality, Mustard Fashion is constantly improvising its working. The brand, that manufactures and markets designer apparels for women in regular and plus sizes, recently launched an ethnic wear and Indian partywear collection. With a presence both online and offline, Mustard Fashion offers kurtis, western tops, T-shirts, t... Read more

V-Mart Retail targets having 300 stores by next fiscal

V-Mart Retail plans to open around 40 stores in 2020-21. The value fashion and lifestyle product retailer already has 260 stores in almost 195 locations across India, largely in Tier II and III cities. So there will be a total of 300 outlets by next fiscal. Stores are opened with an average lifecycle of around ten years to 20 years. The company i... Read more

Three Indian designers shortlisted for LVMH prize

Three Indian designers, Priya Ahluwalia, Kaushik Velendra and Supriya Lele are among 20 shortlisted for the LVMH prize for young fashion designers. Priya Ahluwalia is an Indian-Nigerian menswear designer. She uses archival fabrics from Adidas for the ready-to-wear pieces. Kaushik Velendra is a Chennai born men’s wear designer. He continues h... Read more

Coronavirus Impact
LEADERS SPEAK

Akhil Jain, Executive Director, Madame

China was also under a lockdown and we depend a lot on them for fabrics
Since we have our own manufacturing, we are manufacturing less. With lockdown finances are also shut, we will save about 100,000 to 150,000 units, that is produced and this is what I am thinking of if the season doesn’t begin in the next two months. As for autumn/winter, it is still under speculation as China was also under a lockdown and we depend a lot on them for fabrics. Of late, we have started pursuing Chinese... Read More

Sanjay Dawar, MD, Bodycare Creations

Lockdown may prolong and will affect our and world economy
We are aware of the gravity of the situation and emerging problems across all industries. I feel, the lockdown may prolong for a longer period and affect our and world economy. Everyone will have to face it in their own capacity as no planning and management will work. It is a wait and watch; work as per situation. We plan to retain all labourers, as most have left for their hometown. We will pay them without cuts... Read More

Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI

The only way to avoid this blood bath is massive Government support.

“India’s Garment Industry is currently going through its worst ever crisis The current lockdown of the country – is a death blow to these smaller units. Most of them will simply not have the resources of surviving for any length of time even after the markets reopen. This is because even after they reopen, markets are highly unlikely to return to its normal,... Read More

Sandeep Jain, MD, Monte Carlo

Bad impact on the industry as all inventories are stuck

“Coronavirus will have a bad impact on the industry as all inventories are stuck. Goods in transit are not being sold. Goods are stuck in warehouses, so there’s total loss. We plan to cut down our winter production depending on how long it goes on. We’ll have to sell more goods on discount. If this ends in April, it will be fine and if it prolongs to June, it will be very difficult for the industry... Read More

Kamal Kushalani, Founding Director, Mufti

We are sitting on stocks and there is no sale and absolutely no cash-flow

“Following government directives closed all our stores and offices. Hopefully, this will be controlled in 21 days and markets open up. Both our spring/summer and autumn/winter collections are likely to be impacted as almost all production for summer is ready. We are sitting on stocks and there is no sale and absolutely no cash-flow. When markets open, we’ll have to look at demand and how much stocks are cleared... Read More

Satyen P Momaya, CEO , Celio Future Fashion

Tough times and teams with character and determination will win

“We are looking at how to adjust to a new and challenging reality along with protecting the safety of our employees. Being a fashion retailer, we need tombalance the current season’s merchandise while working on possible buy reduction for the coming season. I foresee the market to remain challenging for at least a quarter even after things settle down and stores open as we fall in the non essential category and consumer sentiment will not be at its best. Therefore, I foresee a 20 per cent reduction in demand for subsequent months. We need to look at all costs to protect our bottomline and also manage the working capital. These are tough times and teams with character and determination will win.”

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TRENDSPOTTING 2020

Indian e-commerce sails through the storm with a 38% growth in 2019

Click here to read all 50 news that shaped 2019

EXCLUSIVE

12 mantras to maintain brand competitiveness in tough times

A visionary academic leader and persuasive administrator, Professor Dr Darlie O Koshy is well known for transforming several educational institutions like the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad where he served... Read more

‘We are focusing strongly on the innerwear category’

Kavindra Mishra, Managing Director, India Business and Asia Pacific, Pepe Jeans, speaks exclusively to DFU Publications about the brand, its initiatives and the global denim industry. What is Pepe Jean’s mission... Read more

‘CMAI needs to take a leap into the next level’: Rahul Mehta

Rahul Mehta has been unanimously re-elected the President of Clothing Manufacturers Association of India popularly known as CMAI for the year 2018 - 2020. Under his leadership, CMAI has been growing leaps and bounds. He ... Read more

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