Homegrown Indian sneaker brand Gully Labs has successfully raised Rs 8.7 crore in a seed funding round to expand its operations and strengthen market presence.

The funding round comprises Rs 7.6 crore in equity and Rs 1.1 crore in venture debt. Zeropearl VC led the equity component, with participation from Untitled Ventures, Atrium Ventures, and a group of prominent angel investors. This latest funding round follows Gully Labs' earlier pre-seed round in 2024, where the brand secured $130,000 (Rs 1.1 crore) in equity.

The newly acquired capital will be strategically invested in expanding the brand’s product portfolio, strengthening its sales channels, and launching exclusive retail stores to support its omnichannel growth strategy.

Founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs has quickly gained recognition for its distinctive sneaker range that seamlessly blend craftsmanship with cultural narratives. The brand specializes in handmade sneakers that fuse premium materials with rich Indian stories. From Phulkari-inspired embroidery to Onam-themed designs, each collection pays homage to diverse traditions through a contemporary fashion lens.

Currently, Gully Labs sells its products through its official website and select partner stores in major Indian metropolitan areas. Looking ahead, the company plans to significantly increase production capabilities, broaden its design range, and strengthen its domestic and global footprint. A key element of this growth strategy involves launching branded retail outlets across key markets.

Marking a significant shift in the brand’s growth journey in India, Swedish home-furnishing giant Ikea is launching compact-format stores designed for urban neighborhoods and smaller cities.

The company is currently in the second phase of its India rollout, with a significant emphasiss on agility and faster market penetration, explains Pooja Grover, Country Expansion Manager, Ikea India These smaller-footprint stores—some as compact as 10,000 sq ft—will slot into neighborhood shopping malls and prime main-street locations.

Each of these outlets will offer access to IKEA’s full catalog of around 7,000 products via in-store digital kiosks. Customers can place orders on the spot and choose home delivery, neighborhood pickup points, or third-party collection services for maximum convenience.

These small-format stores will enable IKEA to scale more rapidly, stay nimble, and establish a presence in malls and high-traffic districts, adds Grover. The company is also in talks with real-estate developers to support this new retail model, he informs.

While Ikea continues to focus on its six core markets including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, and Pune, it has begun scouting opportunities in Tier II and Tier III cities.

The company is gearing up to open new outlets in Gurugram, Noida, Chennai, and Pune. Earlier this year, it also launched online operations in Delhi NCR and nine other cities, complementing its three large-format stores (each over 430,000 sq ft) and its 80,700 sq ft city store in Mumbai.

Marking a significant step in its global retail expansion, the Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands-owned (ABLBL), Allen Solly has launched its inaugural exclusive store in Dubai.

Located on the second floor of City Centre Deira, the 1,830-sq-ft store launched in collaboration with franchise partner Kalyan Silks.

Jacob John, President, Premium Brands, ABLBL, states, as a leading hub for international fashion and modern retail, ore than a retail destination; this new store is a statement of style, confidence, and the brand’s commitment to dressing modern consumers who value originality, self-expression, and individual style. Dubai offers the perfect stage for the brand’s bold, contemporary aesthetic and smart casual philosophy.

TS Pattabhiraman, Kalyan Silks adds, this new store is likely to become a go-to style destination for the region’s diverse and dynamic fashion lovers as the brand’s British roots, fashion-forward mindset, and focus on comfort make it exceptionally relevant to the Dubai audience.

The Dubai store also serves as the regional launchpad for Allen Solly Women, targeting millennial and Gen Z consumers. This new women’s range features contemporary apparel with an emphasis on functional designs and vibrant color palettes. Offerings include stylish handbags, modern dresses, and versatile separates designed to meet both professional and casual wardrobe needs.

In addition to the women's collection, the store offers a comprehensive range of casual wear for men, including shirts, polos, and joggers, alongside a refined selection of professional attire such such as blazers and formal shirts. Allen Solly’s popular handbags are also prominently featured within the store.

This store opening reflects ABLBL’s ongoing strategy to expand the brand's international footprint, seamlessly blending its strong Indian retail legacy with evolving global fashion standards.

Go Fashion India recorded a 54 per cent rise in net profit to Rs 20 crore during Q4, FY24. The parent company of leading women’s bottom wear brand ‘Go Colors’ had registered net profit of Rs 13 crore in corresponding quarter a year ago.

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The company’s revenue grew by 13 per cent to Rs 205 crore during the quarter as against Rs 182 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

For full financial year, Go Fashion’s revenue increased to Rs 848 crore while net profit grew to Rs 94 crore.

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Gautam Saraogi, CEO, Go Fashion, states, the company’s performance is in line with its efforts to improve business efficiency and implement strong cost control measures.

Go Fashion India makes continuous investments in technology and product innovation that help it stay ahead of industry trends.

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With the industry set to recover in coming months, the company is well-positioned to deliver stronger performance in the next few years, he adds.

The company boosted its total store count to 776 stores by opening 62 new stores In FY 2025.

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A direct-to-consumer brand specializing in ethnic and fusion wear, Libas increased its FY24 revenues to $60 million. However, increased spending on advertising and employee benefits led to a 64 per cent decline in the brand’s profits during the same period.

According to financial statements from the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Libas's revenue from operations increased by 38 per cent to $58.44 million in FY24, from $42.24 million in FY23.

Libas is a digital-first women’s ethnic wear brand offering kurtis, salwar suits, dresses, and bottoms in fabrics like cotton, silk, and georgette. The sale of these products was the company's only source of income in FY24.

The growth in scale came with a sharp increase in expenses across the board. The brand’s total expenses rose by 45 per cent to $57.96 million in FY24 from $40.08 million in FY23.

Libas’s material costs remained its largest expense, making up over 61 per cent of total costs, which rose by 41 per cent to $35.52 million. The brand’s advertising expenses increased by 121 per cent to $5.04 million, and employee benefits increased 56 per cent to $3.36 million, while shipping costs totaled $5.88 million.

The sharp spike in advertising and employee costs led to a 64 per cent decline in the brand’s profit, falling to $600,000 in FY24 from $1.68 million in FY23. The company reported a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of 26.32 per cent and an EBITDA margin of 3.06 per cent.

As of March 2024, the Delhi-based company reported current assets of $32.28 million, with inventory alone accounting for $18.48 million. Significantly, its cash and bank balance stood at just $36,000.

According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, Libas has raised $18 million in funding from India Advantage Fund. The company’s co-founders, Sidhant Keshwani and Sunil Keshwan, own 84 per cent of the company.

Libas has got close to $60 million in the women’s ethnicwear market. The brand has its work cut out if it wants to regain better margins. It faces tough choices ahead to ensure it doesn't fizzle out like so many fashion brands be it in terms of exports, an offline presence, or a cutback on advertising,. The good news is that contrary to some opinions, ethnic wear isn't going anywhere soon, as the strength in even saree sales indicates. Top brands have even moved to a premiumization model after building a strong reputation for quality.

Apparel maker and retailer Cantabil India Retail has launched its Spring/Summer 2025 Collection with a new campaign titled, ‘Own the Spotlight.’ Emphasizing easy style and comfort, the collection is designed for a range of summer activities, including work, vacations, special events, and everyday wear.

The collection is organized into four style groups, featuring a mix of bright colors, soft pastels, neutral tones, and breathable fabrics. Cantabil offers clothing for the whole family—men, women, and children—with options for weddings, vacations, business casual settings, and current streetwear trends.

Deepak Bansal, Director, Cantabil Retail India, states, with its Spring/Summer '25 collection, the brand aims to move beyond fleeting trends and create a line with purpose and feeling. The 'Own the Spotlight' campaign originates from the idea that fashion is both a personal statement and a way to connect with others. From a sharp linen shirt for men to a light sundress for women, a trendy tee for teens, and playful prints for kids, each piece is made to celebrate individual style while contributing to a shared fashion sense.

The Vacation Collection captures the relaxed feel of summer holidays with bold prints, oversized tees, breathable digital linen shirts, and travel-ready pants and shorts. For women and children, lightweight fabrics, printed tunics, crop tops, and fun tees add style and comfort to sunny getaways.

The Wedding and Party Wear group brings elegance and glamour to celebratory attire. Men's tailored suits, bold patterned shirts, and refined blazers provide stylish options for formal occasions. Women's wear, including kurta-palazzo sets, Anarkali suits, and embellished dresses, offers a modern take on traditional elegance.

For professionals, the Semi-Formal and Office Wear Collection combines sophistication with practicality. Men's wrinkle-free shirts, flexible chinos, and stretch suits create versatile looks for both daytime and evening. Women's tailored separates, long tunics, and stylish layering pieces suit the fast-paced modern work environment.

The Street Wear Collection adds an urban edge with graphic tees, checked shirts, cotton cargo pants, and stylish denim. Women's oversized tops, lace-accented tees, and relaxed fits complete the line with casual confidence and expressive style.

The campaign uses vibrant brand films and visuals to showcase the collection in real-life settings - family outings, weddings, vacations, and work events - illustrating how the clothing enhances the wearer's experiences.

Madame’s latest collection aims to tap into the growing demand for vacation wear. Titled, ‘Be Right Back’ the launch of this new collection aligns with the brand’s focus on seasonal collections that address evolving consumer preferences in travel and casual fashion.

Offering lightweight and breathable clothing options suitable for travel, the BRB range includes dresses, linen co-ord sets, printed cotton shirts, T-shirts, and tropical-inspired designs.

Transitioning across multiple travel and leisure scenarios, the collection caters to consumers seeking functional yet fashionable clothing options.

Sumedha Jain, Head-Marketing, Madame says, designed for women who understand true style, the collection focuses on authenticity and confidence. The apparel pieces in this collection embody carefree vacation mindset while ensuring customers look effortlessly chic whether they're strolling along the beach, enjoying brunch with friends, or exploring a new city. It's fashion that moves with you and adapts to your adventures.

With garments placed in the range of Rs 1,500 and Rs 6,500, the collection is available at Madame’s physical retail stores across India, as well as via its website madameonline.com and other e-commerce platforms.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) has partnered with the national accelerator program, Network of Indian Cultural Enterprises (Niceorg) to empower India’s cultural entrepreneurs and revive rare arts.

This partnership aims to identify entrepreneurs engaged in rare diminishing crafts across the fashion and home décor sectors and train them in marketing, design, supply chain, finance and entrepreneurship.

The program celebrates India’s crafts tradition by building sustainable business models around it, says Dr Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, ABFRL.  It aims to expand the scope for artisan-led products and brands and upgrade contemporary fashion by integrating timeless skills into the sector.

Kanchana KV, CEO, Niceorg adds, the merger of ABFRL’s deep-rooted industry expertise and market access with Niceorg’s support of cultural brands helps create meaningful opportunities for craft entrepreneurs to not only expand sustainably but also preserve heritage skills, and drive social impact.