Driven by its product innovation, retail and digital expansion, and operational efficiency initiatives, revenues of leading footwear brand, Liberty Shoes increased both during Q4, FY25 and FY25. The company demonstrated significant improvement across all sales segments, including key financial metrics, in Q4 and FY25 compared to Q4 and FY24.

Expanding its retail footprint throughout the year, the brand opened 50 new EBOs in Tier II and III cities across India. It also launched performance footwear featuring innovation and new technology.

Anupam Bansal, Executive Director, states, FY 2024-25 has been a milestone year for the brand. Its consistent focus on consumer-centric innovation, premium product categories, and digital and retail expansion has resulted in strong top-line growth with healthy margins.

Optimistic about future opportunities, the company remains focused on driving long-term growth through product innovation, brand strengthening, and operational excellence, Bansal adds.

Liberty Shoes has over 400 EBOs and is present in 5,000 MBOs across India. It also sells its products through its e-commerce store and online marketplaces.

The Maharashtra government has launched the second phase of its e-textile portal to enhance subsidy management and transparency in the textile sector.

Announced by Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare at an event in Mumbai’s Mantralaya, the update includes a mobile app and the launch of 'Texconnect' magazine for industry insights.

The upgraded portal will now cover silk, handloom, and technical textiles, streamlining the grant process and improving accessibility.

This initiative is part of the state’s broader efforts to digitize the textile sector, making it more efficient and business-friendly.

By centralizing industry information and simplifying subsidy access, Maharashtra aims to strengthen its textile industry and support growth across various segments.

Fashion and lifestyle D2C startup MyDesignation plans to expand its operations with $1.25 million (Rs 10.7 crore) capital raised in a seed funding round led by Multiply Ventures. 

The funding around also attended by Veltis Capital, Sattva Ventures, Dominor Investment Holdings, and Green Trunk Ventures.

The raised capital will be used MyDesignation to accelerate its hiring, technology enhancement, offline expansion, and entry into newer geographies.

Having already achieved 100 per cent Y-o-Y growth for four consecutive years while also staying profitable, the company plans to raise this growth to 200 per cent Y-o-Y without compromising on its financial discipline and customer satisfaction, says Swaroop Krishnan, Co-founder and CEO, MyDesignation.

The company does not depend on third-party platforms for marketplaces, helping it achieve better control over the entire customer journey and deliver one of the best experiences in fashion, adds Gopika B Raj, Co-founder and CCO. The company’s business model allows it to stay intune with its customers’ sentiments and feedback, fuelling its product design and communication strategy, she adds.

Having a customer base of over 5 lakh consumers, MyDesignation was founded in 2020. The company records a monthly repeat rate of 35 per cent, and plans to double this user base within the year.

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.

The 59th edition of the IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2025, organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), opened on April 16 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. The four-day fair presents a vibrant sourcing platform spotlighting sustainability, handcrafted value additions and inclusive growth, and will run till April 19.

The event features over 14 curated segments including home décor, furnishings, fashion jewellery, furniture, outdoor and garden accessories, eco-friendly products, and festive decor. Dedicated halls display a wide array of artisanal and contemporary collections from across India. A special Designer’s Gallery, workshops, ramp shows, seminars, and display awards add to the immersive trade experience.

EPCH Chairman Dileep Baid said the fair is drawing strong international participation. “Our exhibitors are focused on sustainability and innovation, including regional deco-utility lines and new product introductions by start-ups,” he said. Live demonstrations of six traditional crafts including Madhubani painting, bangle-making and Pashmina weaving highlight India’s artisanal diversity. Alumni from institutes like NIFT, NID and IIT are showcasing designs using circular and recycled materials.

Rakesh Kumar, Director General and Chief Mentor, EPCH, called the fair a progressive global sourcing hub. He noted that while new US tariffs apply globally, India remains competitively placed compared to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. “The 90-day US tariff pause gives India a window to pursue a bilateral trade agreement,” he added.

Buyers from across the globe, including major American wholesalers, are actively participating in this edition.

Owner of brands like FableStreet, Pink Fort and March, FS Life has promoted Adarsh Sharma to the ranks of co-founder.

In his new role, Sharma will be responsible for driving the brand’s both online and offline expansion besides assuming additional responsibilities as the co-founder. Having joined FS Life in 2020 as chief revenue officer, Sharma has played a critical role in driving the company’s 15x revenue growth.

Ayushi Gudwani, Founder CEO, FS Life says, Sharma’s drive and commitment to take FS Life to new heights every day has been a force multiplier for the brand.

With over 13 years of experience in roles across business operations and marketing, Sharma was previously engaged with companies like Zomato, Rebel Foods, and Junglee Games. 

Vivek Biyani, former director at Future Group, is re-entering the retail sector with the launch of Broadway, a modern departmental store focused on digital-first brands. Inspired by his uncle Kishore Biyani, a pioneer in Indian retail, Vivek aims to cater to the 45 per cent of Indians born in this century with unique retail experiences.

Broadway will feature brands that prioritize digital-first strategies and offer distinctive propositions, such as skincare, sneaker culture, and gut health. Unlike traditional retailers, Broadway will not stock inventory or require long-term commitments from brands. Instead, brands can rent space for flexible periods, paying a fixed fee. Drawing parallels with WeWork’s impact on co-working spaces, Vivek envisions Broadway as a "co-retail" environment.

The 25,000-30,000 square feet stores will host around 100 digital-first brands across various categories, including Wellbeing Nutrition, Suta, Mokobara, Derma Co, Aqualogica, and trueBrown. Broadway aims to create a vibrant retail experience with 10-15 daily events and a content studio to amplify experiences digitally.

The first Broadway store will open in Ambience Mall, Delhi, in August, followed by locations in Hyderabad and Mumbai. The venture is supported by actor Rana Daggubati, investor Apurva Salarpuria, and property consulting firm Anarock.

This launch marks the return of Kishore Biyani’s next generation to the retail scene, with Vivek's cousins Avni and Ashni Biyani having recently opened Foodstories, a gourmet store in Delhi.