Becoming the latest global sports brand to enter the state, French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has launched its first store in Jharkhand. Located at Bistupur, Jamshedpur, the stand-alone store offers over 5,000 products spanning across 60 variations of sports clothing and gear for individuals of all ages and genders. These products span a wide array of categories, including outdoor, water, fitness, racket, team, cycling, running, walking, roller and target sports.

Founded in 1976 by Michel Leclercq with first store in Lille, France, Decathlon is present in over 72 countries and has more than 105,000 employees.

The international sports retailer entered India in 2009 with first store in Bengaluru. Entering India as a cash-and-carry retailer, the brand was approved for single-brand retail in 2013. Today, it operates more than 110 stores in 20 states across the country.

According to Steve Dyes, Chief Retail and Countries, the current store network expansion and increased local sourcing will make India Decathlon’s one among its top five global markets within the next five years.

The brand will add 10 new stores every year in the country besides accelerating online sales and also increasing local sourcing to over 90 per cent in the next five years.

The Q4 net loss of value fashion retailer V-Mart Retail widened to Rs 39 crore from Rs 37 crore recorded in the corresponding quarter last year.
Despite the loss, the company’s revenue for the quarter increased by 13 per centto Rs 669 crore from Rs 594 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.
For the full financial year 2024, V-Mart reported a net loss of Rs 97 crore on a revenue of Rs 2,786 crore.
The same store sales grew by 6 per cent Y-o-Y for the quarter, driven by better footfall growth during the festive and wedding seasons. The company remains focused on its store expansion plan, having opened 46 new stores in FY24 while closing 25 underperforming ones, bringing the total number of stores across India to 444 by the year-end.
Founded in 2002, V-Mart Retail is an omni retail store chain offering fashion apparel, footwear, home furnishings, general merchandise, and kirana.

A premium brand specialising in mother and baby care products, Huny Huny has expanded its retail footprint with the opening of a new store at Koramangala in Bengaluru. Iaugurated by actor Tejaswini Prakash, the store features a wide array of baby products as well as exclusive maternity clothing.

Huny Huny has been strategically expanding its presence in Tier I cities across India and has announced plans to open a new store in Mumbai soon. Vishal Mittal, Founder, Huny Huny, states, the new store offers a wide selection of premium baby products and clothes for effortless parenting.

Currently, Huny Huny has stores in Gurgaon, Noida, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune, along with a robust online presence nationwide.

Marking the beginning of its ambitious plan to open 300 outlets over the next three years, fashion brand Beyoung has inaugurated its maiden store in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Previously, dominating the the online market in Tier II-IV cities, the brand aims to enhance its omnichannel presence by expanding both online and offline. The brand offers offer quality products in more locations and plans to introduce additional categories in the coming year, states Shivam Soni, Founder.

Founded in 2018 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Beyoung currently boasts a GMV of Rs 200 crore and aims to achieve Rs 650 crore GMV within the next three years. India, the world’s second-most populous country, presents a lucrative market for apparel brands, with a growing number of young consumers adopting western-style clothing. Notably, brands like H&M and Puma generate over 40-50 per cent of their revenues online, highlighting the increasing preference for e-commerce post-pandemic.

The fashion and lifestyle e-commerce market in India is projected to reach $35-40 billion by 2027, with the direct-to-consumer (D2C) segment alone representing an addressable market of $15-20 billion. As D2C brands evolve and expand, integrating online and offline channels becomes crucial for enhancing consumer engagement and market reach.

India's leading casualwear brand from the globally renowned United States Polo Association (USPA), US Polo Assn revolutionises retail experience by opening a new store in Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Spanning 4,168 sq. ft. across two floors, this new store engages customers with the brand's iconic story.

Emphasising its authentic connection to polo, the new retail space features modern décor and sport-inspired fashion and accessories, creating an immersive shopping experience. The store showcases the brand's authentic, modern, and sporty elements, with a special focus on fashion and style. A distinctive wall within the store captures the classic and cool spirit of polo. This new store is part of the brand's broader growth strategy, which includes brick-and-mortar expansion, omni-channel presence, e-commerce, and brand marketing through storytelling.

The store offers the complete range of US Polo Assn. products, including USPA Mainline, USPA Sport, Denim & Co, Womenswear, Footwear, Kidswear, Accessories, and Innerwear. Customers can find timeless favorites such as polo shirts, denims, shirts, chinos, and t-shirts. Notably, this store is the second in India to showcase the new SS’24 womenswear collection, previously available only online.

Amitabh Suri, CEO, US Polo Assn India, says, “more than just an expansion, the new store at Indiranagar is a unique experience for Bengaluru customers. It underscores the strength of US Polo Assn, a brand as legendary as the sport itself, and its commitment to Indian consumers.

Bengaluru's rapid growth as a market for USPA makes it an ideal location for more stores. One of the city's busiest neighborhoods, Indiranagar is perfect for catering to the evolving fashion preferences of Indian consumers, aligning with global trends.

Currently, US Polo Assn's retail footprint in India includes over 400 brand stores and more than 2000 shop-in-shops across 200 cities.

To forge deeper connections with shoppers in Hyderabad, multi-brand fashion and accessories business Azorte has opened a new store in the Aparna Neo Mall, Nallagandla. The store caters to the needs of all men, women, and children.

A retailer of clothing labels such as Svrnaa, Altheory and Outryt, Azorte has allotted different segments in its stores for each brand. The store also features the brand’s recently launched curated collection of summer wedding attire known as the ’ Festive Edit,’ The collection features a wide range of ethnic style designs.

In 2024, Azorte opened a number of new stores including in New Delhi’s Vegas Mall and in Bengaluru’s Phoenix Mall Of Asia. The brand also has a number of stores in cities including Mumbai, Thane, Gurugram, Pune, and Ahmedabad.

Launched in 2022 by Reliance Retail, Azorte offers a wide range of apparels and accessories for the entire family. The store offers western wear by mid-segment brands in the market.

Mumbai's retail landscape is experiencing a transformation, with a contrasting performance between high streets and malls. While high streets are seeing resurgence, malls, particularly smaller ones, are struggling.
This is due to several factors.
High street advantage: Mumbai's vibrant high streets offer a unique experience with a mix of established local shops and trendy boutiques. This caters to a growing consumer preference for convenience and a sense of community.
Mall woes: The city has witnessed a significant rise in ‘ghost malls’ – those with high vacancy rates. This is due to oversaturation in the market and an inability to compete with the convenience and variety offered by online shopping. The rise of online shopping has impacted footfall in smaller malls, particularly those lacking a strong brand mix. However, Grade A malls with a strong tenant mix and curated experiences are still performing well. Mumbaikars seem to favor the convenience and curated experience offered by high streets.
Mumbai's retail quirks
Mumbai's consumers exhibit distinct shopping behaviour. Shoppers are value-conscious, seeking good deals and discounts. However, there's a strong brand loyalty for established names, both domestic and international. A seamless blend of online research and physical store visits is becoming the norm.
The recent ‘Think India Think Retail 2024’ report by Knight Frank India reveals traditionally well-known high streets like Linking Road, Colaba Causeway, and Fashion Street are thriving. While the evolving high streets are Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Grant Road among others,
The report also indicates a growing share of organized retail that of malls and large chain stores compared to traditional mom-and-pop shops. They are growing steadily, driven by brand consistency, wider product range, and convenience. Well-established Grade A malls with a strong brand mix continue to thrive. However, high streets might still have a higher proportion of traditional stores due to their affordability.
Fashion reigns supreme
Fashion and apparel retail dominate Mumbai's retail space, both in malls and high streets. This is driven by a growing fashion-conscious population and a wide range of options catering to different budgets and styles. High streets often house smaller boutiques and local designers, while malls provide a platform for established national and international brands.
The report reveals Mumbai retail sector is in a flux. While the city embraces the convenience of online shopping, there's a renewed appreciation for the unique experience offered by high streets. Malls, on the other hand, need to adapt and offer a compelling reason for consumers to choose them over the digital alternative.

A new report by Knight Frank India, ‘Think India Think Retail 2024’, reveals high streets in the country are doing rather well despite new malls popping up across cities. The report highlights a significant shift in consumer preferences, with high streets emerging as strong contenders against the dominance of shopping malls.
High street growth outpaces malls
The report indicates high street retail is witnessing an increase, outpacing the expansion of shopping malls. This can be attributed to several factors:
Experience-driven shopping: Consumers are increasingly seeking a more experiential shopping experience. High streets offer a vibrant atmosphere, a sense of community, and the convenience of browsing through stores located close together.
Lower rental costs: Compared to malls, high streets typically have lower rental costs, making them attractive for both established brands and new entrants. This affordability allows for greater diversity in the retail mix.
Accessibility and visibility: High streets are often located in well-connected areas with high foot traffic. This provides greater visibility for brands and allows for easier customer access.
Community connect: High streets often have a strong local character, fostering a sense of community and attracting residents who prefer a familiar shopping environment.
City-wise growth
The report reveals a variation in high street penetration across Indian cities.
Bangalore leads the pack with MG Road, Commercial Street, Brigade Road, and Church Street featuring in the top 10 high streets nationally. Other prominent cities include Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi with Somajiguda, Linking Road, and Khan Market respectively. The report doesn't explicitly mention saturated cities, but it highlights that established high streets may not see the same rental growth as emerging ones. This suggests that newer areas with development potential are attracting investor interest.
Shifting retail landscape
The report also showcases a growing trend in the composition of high street retail. While traditional stores still hold a significant presence, there's a clear rise in non-traditional (organized/modern) retail formats:
The expansion of organized retail chains on high streets is driven by factors like standardized product offerings, efficient operations, and strong brand recognition. Investments in infrastructure, like better pedestrian walkways and parking facilities, make high streets more attractive for organized retailers. The entry of established brands and organized retail chains brings a wider product range and a more standardized shopping experience to high streets. These factors provide a compelling alternative to traditional stores for a growing segment of consumers. Moreover consumers today are more brand conscious and value the convenience and wider selection offered by organized retail stores.
Fashion dominates high street retail
The report identifies fashion/apparel as a major share of high street retail, catering to a large segment of consumer demand. This dominance is likely due to the visibility factor as high street locations offer excellent visibility for fashion brands, attracting customers with storefront displays and window shopping opportunities. Also, impulse purchases happen on highstreets. The open and walkable nature of high streets encourages impulse purchases, which benefit fashion retailers relying on trendy items. Moreover high streets offer a mix of established fashion brands, local boutiques, and budget-friendly options, appealing to a wider customer base.
The Knight Frank India report underscores a significant shift in the Indian retail landscape. With their focus on experience, affordability, and accessibility, high streets are poised for continued growth, offering a dynamic and evolving platform for retailers and consumers alike.

Indian fashion retail sector is experiencing a dynamic shift, driven by a growing young population and rising disposable incomes and increasing internet penetration. A recent report by Knight Frank India, ‘Think India Think Retail 2024’, sheds light on this transformation.
A balance between malls vs. high street
The report suggests a growing parity between malls and high streets for fashion apparel. While malls continue to dominate in metros due to a concentration of brands and a premium shopping experience, high streets are gaining traction, particularly in non-metros. Driven by factors like affordability; high streets offer a wider range of rental options, attracting a diverse mix of brands, including budget-friendly ones. Another factor for high streets is convenience, as they cater to local demand, offering a more convenient shopping experience for residents. Low rental is another plus. High-street spaces tend to have lower rents compared to mall space, allowing brands to offer competitive pricing. Moreover, consumers increasingly seek a more curated shopping experience, which high-street stores with a focus on specific brands or aesthetics can cater to.
Organized vs. traditional retail
Indeed, organized retail, with branded stores and large departmental chains, is witnessing significant growth. The report highlights this dominance due to consumers increasingly seeking the assurance and standardized quality offered by organized retailers. Organized stores provide a curated selection of apparel, catering to various styles and budgets. And modern stores offer a more pleasant shopping environment with amenities like trial rooms and well-trained staff. Also organized retail leverages marketing and promotional strategies to attract customers.
However, traditional retail, characterized by family-run stores and neighborhood shops, remains a significant player, especially in smaller towns and cities. Their deep understanding of local preferences and personalized service allow them to compete effectively.
Non-metros show strong growth
While metros continue to be major fashion retail hubs, non-metro cities are witnessing significant growth. This can be attributed to rising disposable income in Tier II, III cities that allow residents to spend more on apparel. Rapid urbanization leads to the development of shopping malls and high-street stores in these regions. And fashion brands are recognizing the potential in non-metro markets and expanding their reach. Non-metros offer a larger market base for retailers to capture compared to saturated metro markets.
Despite this growth, metros continue to be major hubs with its higher consumer base. Metros have a larger pool of potential customers, attracting a wider variety of brands. Their stronger retail infrastructure with established shopping malls and high streets, provide ready platform for retailers.
Luxury vs. premium vs. value, a market for all
The report suggests a growing demand across all segments. While the value segment remains the largest due to its affordability and caters to a vast section of the population. Premium segment is witnessing significant growth, driven by increased brand awareness and a desire for aspirational products. The luxury segment caters to a niche market but is experiencing steady growth due to India's growing affluent class. Consumers are becoming more brand-conscious and willing to invest in premium products.
Women’s wear currently holds the largest market share in fashion retail. This can be attributed to growing numbers in workforce. Their increased participation in the workforce leads to a higher disposable income for this segment. And the ever-changing landscape of women's fashion keeps demand high. Kidswear too is growing driven by parents increasingly willing to spend on quality clothing for their children. And growing brand awareness among young parents is leading to a demand for branded kidswear.
Overall, the Indian fashion retail sector is undergoing a significant transformation. High-street stores, organized retail, non-metro markets, and the premium segment are all showing promising growth. While traditional models and value segments remain important, the future of Indian fashion retail lies in a dynamic and evolving landscape.