Owned by the Apparel Group, Fashion brand R&B has opened its sixth store in Bengaluru and 18th in India. Located in HSR Layout, the spacious 12,000 sq.ft. store offers a curated selection of trendy and affordable apparel for men, women, and children.

This opening highlights R&B's commitment to strengthening its presence in India and meeting the evolving fashion needs of Indian consumers. The bright and inviting store features dedicated sections for each category, catering to a wide range of age groups and styles.

The store promotes diversity and body positivity by offering a vast array of sizes. Customers can find a mix of international trends and versatile everyday wear, along with footwear, beauty products, toys, and accessories.

Launched in October 2012, R&B currently operates over 123 stores across seven countries. This new flagship store in Bengaluru signifies their commitment to the Indian market and their plans for further expansion.

Abhishek Bajpai, CEO, Apparel Group India, says, the launch of this store aligns perfectly with the brand’s plans for expansion in India. The store offers an exceptional blend of style, quality, and shopping comfort.

Founded by entrepreneur Karima Karmouzi, leading athleisure brand Ikasu has entered the Indian market with the official launch of its diverse product range. Driven by Karmouzi's personal connection to India and a desire to empower women through activewear that blends style and functionality, this expansion marks a significant step for the brand

Ikasu caters to the dynamic needs of Indian women with a comprehensive collection going beyond the gym. From high-performance leggings and supportive sports bras to versatile t-shirts, stylish outerwear, and comfortable shorts and skirts, the brand caters to various activities, including yoga, tennis, and everyday workouts. Its signature jumpsuits offer a unique blend of comfort and fashion, perfect for transitioning seamlessly from workouts to leisure activities.

With its vision extending beyond providing trendy activewear, Ikasu offers a curated selection of accessories to complement its apparel. The brand’s yoga mats, fitness gear, and pilates socks ensure a complete experience for women seeking to elevate their practice and well-being.

Karmouzi says, Ikasu aims to inspire women to embrace an active lifestyle, fostering a sense of well-being and growth within a connected community.

Currently available exclusively on the brand's website (ikasuofficial.com), Ikasu is priced competitively, starting at Rs 1,470 ($18). Recognisng the potential of the Indian market, the brand aims to explore partnerships with relevant e-commerce platforms and local retailers, making the brand even more accessible to a wider audience.

Taking a step towards inclusivity, essential menswear brand, DaMENSCH has launched the its exclusive men’s innerwear range, DaMENSCH Plus.

With sizes extending up to 3XL, DaMENSCH Plus embraces diversity and empowers men of all shapes to experience the same premium comfort and style.

Anurag Saboo, Co-Founder, says, “The new DaMENSCH Plus range pushes for a more inclusive menswear landscape. The range features buttery-soft cotton fabric in a vibrant palette of colors and eye-catching patterns, like classic stripes and bold geometric designs. It's a refreshing departure from the mundane, offering plus-size men a chance to express their personal style through their innerwear.”

With its extensive online presence and growing physical footprint, DaMENSCH is rapidly establishing itself as a leading D2C brand for men. The brand offers a premium experience for customers of all sizes, proving that inclusivity and quality can go hand-in-hand.

03 February 2024, Mumbai

The National Garment Fair (NGF 2024) Spring-Summer Edit, hosted by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) in Mumbai, unfolded from January 29 to 31, 2024. Drawing an impressive crowd of nearly 18,000 attendees, including national and regional retailers, distributors, and wholesalers, the event showcased a vibrant snapshot of the domestic garment industry's recovery post-pandemic.

Spanning 700,000 sq. ft. across seven halls at the Bombay Exhibition NESCO Complex in Goregaon East, the NGF 2024 boasted over 1025 participants presenting more than 1,120 brands across various categories, including Women's wear, Men's wear, Kids wear, and Accessories.

This expansive display underscored the industry's resilience and determination to rebound from the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Industry leaders express confidence in recovery
Rajesh Masand, President of CMAI, highlighted the industry's journey towards normalization, citing the positive feedback received from exhibitors regarding business inquiries and orders. Despite facing inventory backlogs, the apparel sector has witnessed steady growth, driven by store expansions and network enhancements.

Rohit Munjal, Vice President and Chairman of the Fair Committee at CMAI, commended the unwavering support of retailers and distributors, attributing the fair's success to their active participation.

Striking feature

The continued vitality of NGF underscores its significance as a premier event in the garment industry, fostering collaboration and growth opportunities for all stakeholders.

Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor of CMAI, discussed the evolving consumer trends, noting a shift from post-pandemic "revenge shopping" to more restrained purchasing behavior, followed by an anticipated resurgence in wardrobe refreshment.

This shift signifies a gradual return to pre-pandemic shopping patterns, offering hope for sustained growth in the apparel segment.

Relaunch of CMAI Apparel magazine elevates industry insights
During NGF 2024, the prestigious CMAI Apparel magazine was reintroduced with a revamped quarterly edition, featuring exclusive content, in-depth features, and captivating visuals.

The magazine's relaunch aims to provide readers with fresh perspectives, industry insights, and compelling stories, enriching the discourse on apparel trends and developments.

Recognized as the largest bi-annual trade fair in the Indian Apparel Industry, NGF serves as a critical platform for connecting brands, manufacturers, designers, and retailers.

With its comprehensive sourcing opportunities and efficient networking avenues, NGF continues to uphold its reputation as India's foremost trade fair, facilitating collaboration and innovation across the garment sector.

The success of NGF 2024 reflects the industry's resilience and adaptability in navigating challenging times. As retailers and manufacturers forge ahead with renewed optimism, the positive momentum generated by NGF sets the stage for a dynamic and prosperous spring-summer season, heralding a return to normalcy in consumer behavior and market dynamics.

Reporting a stellar third quarter, textile and apparel giant Raymond ended December 2023 with net profit nearly doubling to Rs 184 crore ($23 million) compared to Rs 95 crore in the same period last year. This impressive performance marks the company's 10th consecutive quarter of growth, achieving its highest ever revenue and profitability across all its businesses.

Driving this growth was an 11 per cent increase in revenue, reaching Rs 2,450 crore compared to Rs 2,200 crore in the previous year's Q3. Both branded textile and apparel segments saw significant growth, with textile sales reaching Rs 909 crore and apparel sales reaching Rs 437 crore.

Raymond is further amplifying its retail presence with an ambitious plan to open over 500 new stores in the next three years. This aggressive expansion strategy follows the successful opening of the 100th milestone store of "Ethnix by Raymond," bringing the total to 105 stores. As of December 31, 2023, the company's retail network boasts a total of 1,512 stores.

Raymond's strong Q3 performance and ambitious expansion plans position the company for continued success in the Indian textile and apparel market.

27 January 2024, Mumbai

About AEPC

Incorporated in 1978, AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers and international buyers who choose India as their preferred sourcing destination for garments.
A quick look at how the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has been the driving force behind a lot of achievement. 

AEPC also helped in bringing in global technical expertise from Taiwan and Korea. It is also encouraging manufacturers to move away from cotton and switch to MMF garments.

Sudhir Sekhri, a seasoned & highly committed professional in the apparel sector, has become the new head of the AEPC, which promotes apparel exports. He said, “My first and foremost goal is to find solutions to stop the fall in exports of ready-to-wear garments that has been happening for the past few months.”

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Global conglomerate, Apparel Group has opened the first Victoria's Secret Beauty store in Mumbai. Located at Inorbit Mall in Malad, the new store boasts of a distinctive design and embraces the "Store of the Future" concept. It offers an extensive range of products, spanning fragrances to accessories.

Set to become a one-stop shop for beauty enthusiasts in the region, the store features the brand's iconic array of fine fragrances, body mists and lotions, and an array of top-tier travel accessories.

Tushar Ved, President, Apparel Group India, says, the store embodies the brand’s dedication to bridging the gap between international brands and the Indian consumer, offering a world-class beauty experience tailored to local preferences."

Abhishek Bajpai, CEO, Apparel Group India adds, the choice of Inorbit Mall as the store's location will further strengthen the brand’s commitment to reach its target audience.

27 January 2024, Mumbai

The highly anticipated CMAI Cricket Premier League Season 4 is set to kick off on January 26, 2024, at Pune's Pushpa Sports Arena after a successful grand auction on January 5.

The Western India Regional Office of CMAI organized the event, featuring ten teams with approximately 80 members, including 8 from Pune, one from Solapur, and one from Mumbai.

Ajit Thadani, Managing Director of Retail Software Solutions, announced the fruitful conclusion of the auction, while Sumit Tejwani, President of CMAI (WR), welcomed all participants.

Spotlight

Rajesh Masand, CMAI President, highlighted the competitive spirit and passion for the game witnessed during the auction.

Sumit Tejwani emphasized the dynamic cricketing community's enthusiasm, anticipating an exhilarating season.

The league promises a thrilling showcase of cricketing action and team spirit at Bibvewadi's Pushpa Sports Arena.

25 January 2024, Mumbai

The Changing landscape of Large Format Apparel Retail: Strategies, shifts, and future focus

The Indian apparel retail market is a dynamic behemoth, projected to reach a staggering $190 billion by 2025. But the winds of change are sweeping through this land of vibrant market. Traditional large-format retailers, once the undisputed retail kings, are facing challenges from online upstarts, shifting consumer preferences, and a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Market Dynamics

As per Statista, the Indian apparel market is projected to reach $190 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 10.3 per cent between 2020-2025. Indeed, online retail's surge has impacted brick-and-mortar stores, necessitating an omnichannel approach and focus on differentiated experiences. With rising disposable incomes in smaller cities, large-format retailers are expanding their footprint beyond metros. 

Phygital

The lines between physical stores and online platforms are blurring today. Retailers are weaving seamless omnichannel experiences through click-and-collect options, in-store kiosks for online browsing, and robust mobile apps for personalized shopping journeys.

The Indian shopper is effortlessly transitioning between browsing physical stores and online platforms. Retailers are weaving omnichannel strategies into the very fabric of their existence, with initiatives like.

What’s more in-house brands are no longer the poor cousins of established labels. Retailers are investing heavily in creating strong private labels that offer quality, style, and value, often at competitive price points.

This not only boosts profitability but also strengthens brand loyalty and identity. Moreover, eco-conscious consumers are demanding more from their clothing.

Value accretion

Retailers are responding with sustainable practices like using organic materials, ethical sourcing, and upcycling initiatives. This is not just a fad; it's becoming a core differentiator in a crowded market.

A look at some large format behemoths and how they are redefining the shopping experience and adapting to cater to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.

Retail giants and their strategies

• Shoppers Stop: Has a premium positioning and focuses on high-end brands and private labels, offering a curated shopping experience. It has an omnichannel presence with seamless integration of online and offline channels with robust loyalty programs. The future focus is be on expanding private label offerings, strengthening loyalty programs, and exploring smaller store formats in Tier II & III cities.
• Lifestyle: Offers a mix of mid-range and premium brands, catering to a broader customer base. It expanded its category beyond apparels into homeware, beauty, and kids' products. The future focus is  on strengthening omnipresence, personalized shopping experiences, and leveraging data analytics for targeted promotions. 
• Max Fashion: Is a fastest-growing retail chain with aggressive store expansion strategy and focus on price-conscious consumers. It is a private label powerhouse with in-house brands like 'Max' and 'A&F' contribute significantly to revenue. Future focus is on continued store expansion, omnichannel integration, and venturing into new categories like athleisure and footwear.
• Reliance Retail: It has market dominance with an extensive network of brands like Trends, Centro, and JioFashion that cater to diverse segments. Meanwhile, it is pushing its private label and building strong portfolios across various price points.
• In the future, it plans to leverage e-commerce platform JioMart for online integration, expand value-focused stores like Zudio, and venture into hyperlocal sourcing.
• Westside: A retailer with a fashion-forward focus, it offers trendy and contemporary clothing from in-house brands. It emphasizes experiential play, in-store events, stylists, and personalized services. In future, it plans to continue focusing on private labels, strengthening its online presence, and expanding into smaller towns.
• Zudio: Offers trendy apparel at rock-bottom prices, targeting budget-conscious shoppers. With rapid expansion and an aggressive store opening strategy, it is spreading across Tier II & III markets. In future, Focus plans to maintain low prices, expand its product range, and strengthen logistics.

Key metrics for large format apparel retailers (2021-2023):

What lies ahead?

The future of Indian large-format apparel retail lies in embracing agility, innovation, and a customer-centric approach.

Continued focus on omnichannel integration, category expansion, targeted store formats, and personalized experiences will be key to success.

Sustainability piece; Additionally, sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community engagement will play an increasingly important role in attracting and retaining loyal customers.

Agility: As the Indian retail landscape continues to evolve, the ability to adapt, experiment, and stay ahead of the curve will be the defining factor for success.

The retailers who weave a compelling narrative, infused with convenience, value, and personalization, will stand out from the crowd and thrive in the ever-changing fashion tapestry of India.

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