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.

Making a significant expansion into the Northeast region, leading departmental store chain Shoppers Stop has opened its first store in Agartala. This new store promises to elevate the shopping experience for residents with its wide range of fashion, beauty, and home decor brands.

Staying true to its commitment to local communities, Shoppers Stop employs 100 per cent Agartala residents for its front-end staff. This move not only provides job opportunities but also demonstrates the brand's faith in the city's potential.

The store boasts over 500 international, national, and exclusive brands across various categories, catering to diverse individual preferences. It offers a comprehensive selection of renowned labels like Jack & Jones and Levis to popular beauty names like Lakme and Maybelline for fashion-conscious and beauty-savvy customers.

Going beyond just offering products, Shoppers Stop adds a personal touch to its customers shopping experience through personal shopper services, and the First Citizens Club program.

This expansion underscores Shoppers Stop's continuous growth strategy. With over 107 stores across India and a presence in major airports, the brand continues to solidify its position as a leading retail destination.

Luxury fashion retailer Ogaan is hosting a bridal extravaganza on February 24, 2024 at The Oberoi, Delhi, offering a one-stop shop for spring weddings and festive season celebrations.

Open to customers, the even features a curated selection from renowned brands like Anamika Khanna, Divya Sheth, Nidhi Tholia, and Kiran Uttam Ghosh. It provides an exclusive opportunity for brides-to-be and fashion enthusiasts to explore the latest collections ahead of the busy season.

This event follows the recent launch of Raw Mango's handwoven silk sarees at Ogaan's Haus Khas store, further solidifying their commitment to showcasing exceptional designer wear.

Founded in 1989, Ogaan is a leading name in luxury fashion retail in India. The retailer has an e-commerce platform and six multi-brand stores across Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. It is known for its curated selection of established and emerging Indian designers, offering a unique blend of modern and traditional aesthetics.

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.

Indian menswear brand by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail and celebrated designer Tarun Tahiliani, Tasva has launched its ninth store in Maharashtra. Located in Pune, the store is the brand’s 76th store in the country.

Located in Kohinoor World Towers, the store caters to the discerning clientele of the city and surrounding region, offering a wide range of meticulously curated wedding and occasion wear with its new perspective, seamlessly blending comfort with style.

Spread across 3,219 sq ft, the new store presents a remarkable range of kurtas, bundis, sherwanis, bandhgalas, achkans, churidars, aligarhis, and accessories such as safas, brooches, pocket squares, shawls, stoles, mojaris, etc. Its delicate ambience complements the exceptional collection. Tasva has a team of knowledgeable stylists to understand customers’ unique preferences and provide personalised assistance.

Each garment in the store reflects Tarun Tahiliani’s signature style, expertly crafted with impeccable attention to detail. Tasva uses traditional embroidery such as zardori, aari, chikankari and gota on fabrics such as silk, banarasi brocade, velvet, and cotton to combine the elegance of Indian craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes.

Retailer of clothing from brands such as Arrow, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, Arvind Fashions reported a slowdown in revenue growth in its third quarter spanning October-December.

Arvind Fashions' consolidated revenue rose about 5 per cent to Rs 11.25 billion in the October-December quarter. However, this was 7 per cent decline as compared to the previous quarter but a 17 per cent growth on a Y-o-Y basis.

Arvind Fashions' profit from continuing operations rose by 14 per cent to Rs 301.2 million in the third quarter. That excluded a one-time gain of Rs 348.2 million from the sale of its unit, Arvind Beauty Brands.

Arvind Fashions’ rival Shoppers Stop reported a third consecutive fall in quarterly profits while the profit of Tata Group-owned Trent surged on strong festive-season sales.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail.(ABFRL) saw its Q3 FY24 consolidated revenue increase by 16 per cent to Rs 4,167 crore, despite facing a challenging market environment with muted demand. However, the company reported a net loss of Rs 107.60 crore, compared to a net profit in the previous year's same period.compared to a net profit of Rs 11.21 crore in Q3 FY23.

ABFRL’s EBITDA grew by 29 per cent to Rs 605 crore during the quarter, leading to an improved EBITDA margin of 14.5 per cent. The company current has 4,753 stores across various formats, covering a wide reach across India.

ABFRL emphasises its resilient performance despite challenging market conditions. The company remains committed to delivering value and expanding its reach strategically. It highlights its strong brand portfolio and diverse growth platforms for future success.

ABFRL owns a wide range of popular fashion brands, including Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England, and Pantaloons. It also has partnerships with international brands like Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, and Forever 21.

Marking a significant step in its global expansion plans, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) is launching its renowned artisanal brand, Jaypore, in the United States.

Known for its curated collection of handcrafted apparel, jewelry and homeware inspired by Indian craft traditions, Jaypore has partnered with Ingenuity for implementing targeted strategies for customer acquisition and retention, leveraging influencers, paid media, and affiliate programs.

This move reflects ABFRL's ambition to expand its direct-to-consumer (DTC) presence internationally. Ashish Dikshit, Managing Director, ABFRL, says, the Jaypore’s launch in the US market enables the company to explore the global market through the digital route. ABFRL’s expertise in streamlined commerce solutions will play a significant role in Jaypore’s success, adds Vivek Ganotra, CEO.

ABFRL aims to diversify its portfolio beyond its established presence in India. The company boasts a strong network of brands and retail formats, including iconic names like Louis Philippe and Van Heusen, and has ventured into ethnic wear with brands like Jaypore.

Spearheaded by TMRW, ABFRL's House of D2C Brands initiative demonstrates its commitment to innovation and growth.

Renowned American casual wear brand, American Eagle unveiled an exclusive outlet in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Nestled within Lulu Mall, this store entices customers with a special promotional offer.

Characterised by a modern design, the outlet boasts a spacious glass front and a digital screen showcasing brand campaigns. Within its confines, shoppers can delve into a plethora of denim, t-shirts, sweaters, outerwear, and accessories.

In celebration of the store's grand opening, American Eagle has extended a generous 40 per cent discount on select items. Celebrated for its comfortable denim and timeless American style, the brand aims to captivate the Indian market.

In India, American Eagle operates through a strategic collaboration with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail under a licensing agreement inked in 2017.
Founded by Jerry and Mark Silverman in 1977 in Pennsylvania, US, American Eagle has solidified its stature as a prominent entity in the fashion realm.

French fashion brand Kiabi is making its Asian debut in India in partnership with e-commerce giant Myntra to tap the country's growing online fashion market. This marks a shift from Kiabi's initial plans of entering through brick-and-mortar stores.

Kiabi will offer over 500 diverse fashion products, including co-ord sets, dresses, and t-shirts. It will have a dedicated online store on Myntra that will ensure brand visibility and access to millions of potential customers.

The partnership will leverage Myntra's extensive reach, including its popular ‘Myntra Minis; video content platform. Kiabi's focus on affordable, sustainable family fashion aligns with Myntra's values and customer base.

Founded with a store in 1978 in France, Kiabi is present in over 25 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. The ready-to-wear clothing brand is owned by The Association Familiale Mulliez (AFM), the group that also owns sportswear label Decathlon and supermarket chain Auchan among other retail brands. Francois Haimez, International Leader, Kiabi, says, the strength and prowess of a key player like Myntra will help us simplify access to fashion for everyone.

On the other hand, Myntra is a leading e-commerce platform with over 400 international brands onboard. Jayanti, Ganguly, Vice President, Myntra, adds, the e-commerce player is confident of building Kiabi into a household name with its huge base of premium shoppers, robust delivery network and keen understanding of India’s fashion needs.

Aditya Birla Group-company, Grasim Industries, reported mixed results in Q3FY24 as the company’s revenue from operations surged by 11.61 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 31,965.48 crore while net profit declined by 41.5 per cent to Rs 2,603.43 crore.

The company’s attributes the growth in its revenue during the quarter to a strong performance by Grasim's subsidiaries including UltraTech Cement and Aditya Birla Capital. On the other hand, the dip in the company’s profitability is attributed to factors like rising raw materials costs and increased operational expenses.

During the third quarter, Grasim's profit after tax adjusted for certain non-recurring items increased by 48 per cent Y-o-Y.

Revenue from the viscose-pulp, viscose staple fibre, and filament yarn segments surged to Rs 3,714.58 crore during the quarter.