Positioned as India’s first tech-fashion brand, Azorte has embarked on an expansion spree with an aim to leverage the on-going festive spirit in the country.  

The brand plans to open approximately 10 more stores across cities by this month-end. Over the last few days, the brand opened three new stores, two in Bengaluru and one in Guwahati. Its store openings reflect the brand’s dedication to meet customers’ evolving demands, offering a curated selection of high-fashion apparel, accessories and innovative tech-enhanced shopping experiences, says Hari Krishnan, General Manager-Head-VM, Azorte.

With the brand’s focus on technology, its stores prominently feature dynamic screens that reiterate the brand’s narrative while also adding an interactive edge to the consumers’ experience. Rather than just showcasing products, the brand’s visual merchandising is designed to tell stories, explains Krishnan. All of its displays are thoughtfully coordinated with the designers’ vision and help customers connect with global fashion trends through curated collections. These new stores carry forward the brand’s distinct identity by combining tech-led interfaces with vibrant store displays.

Swedish fashion giant H&M has launched its latest menswear collection titled, ‘Atelier.’

Offering a modern take on classic styles, including heritage and workwear elements, this debut Autumn/Winter 2024 collection features timeless outerwear and relaxed tailoring crafted from high-quality fabrics.

The collection is endorsed by Swedish actor Bill Skarsgård, who stars as the brand ambassador in the collection’s campaign donning standout pieces from the collection such as a shearling leather aviator jacket, relaxed trousers, a cream alpaca-blend sweater, and black boot.

Meticulously crafted for modern day needs, the collection honors menswear traditions with evolved designs that respond to the realities of daily life, balancing style and comfort, says Ana Hernández, Designer-Menswear, H&M.

Launched on Oct 3, the collection is available in select H&M stores worldwide and online. Its prices range from $19.99 for a mesh tank to $419 for the leather aviator jacket.

However, despite launching this new collection, H&M registered a decline in Q3 net sales due to unfavorable weather in June. The brand noted, it may not be able to meet its earnings target for the year.

The men’s and women’s apparel and accessories retail chain by Reliance Retail, Azorte plans to increase its store count in Bengaluru to five by opening two new brick-and-mortar stores in the metro area.

Besides the two brick-and-mortar stores launched in Gujarat earlier this month, Azorte launched numerous offline stores this year in locations including Hyderabad, Delhi, Vadodara, and Bengaluru. Located in Jamnagar and Surat, the retailer’s new stores in Gujarat house its late summer and early autumn collection.
 
Azorte’s new autumn collection offers a wide range of denims, loose layers, streetwear inspired separates, and playful details. The retailer’s houses a wide selection of brands including Altheory, 7 Kids, and Svrnaa, etc. It also has a dedicated space for Reliance Retail’s multi-brand beauty retail chain Tira. 

Established by Reliance Retail in 2022, Azorte opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Bengaluru. The retailer plans to launch around 250 stores in the next two to three years besides expanding its online operations.

Marking a significant achievement in its growth journey, a prominent player in India’s ethnic wear market, Libas crossed the milestone of achieving Rs 500 crore revenues in FY24. To further strengthen its brand presence, the brand appointed Bollywood actress Kiara Advani as its brand ambassador, with an aim to leverage the expanding potential of India’s organised apparel sector.
Founded by Zivore Apparel, Libas has been operating on a bootstrapped model since its inception, steadily building a strong online presence on platforms like Flipkart and Myntra. The brand has also expanded offline, with 13 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) and placements in over 400 large-format stores such as Lifestyle and Shoppers Stop.
Sidhant Keshwani, who took over the reins of the brand in 2013 as its CEO is determined to modernise the brand. Keshwani led the brand’s growth into the e-commerce sector by launching its online retail platform. Under his leadership, Libas achieved a 100 per cent Y-o-Y revenue rise to reach Rs 600 crore within eight years.
In May 2024, Libas raised Rs 150 crore from IAF Series 5, managed by ICICI Venture. The brand plans to use this capital to expand its omnichannel presence, increase offline retail footprint, and enhance marketing and technology capabilities. Last year, the brand’s investments in technology for its website and supply chain management led to Libas experiencing around, 60 per cent growth, notes Keswani.
Looking ahead, as the market continues to evolve and mature, India will witness the rise of several new remarkable companies in the next decade, he predicts.

The success of its maiden outlet at City Centre Diera has inspired Being Human Clothing to launch its second store in the UAE at Sharjah.

Offering a wide range of stylish yet sustainable clothing options, the new store aims to not only enhance customers’ shopping experience but also promote mindful consumption for a more compassionate and equitable world

Featuring a modern design, the new store offers a wide choice of casual wear clothing options. It helps the brand empower today’s youth to embrace a more conscious and positive future, says Vivek Sandhwar, COO, Being Human Clothing.

An ideal market for the brand, Sharjah upholds its unique blend of fashion and purpose, adds
Bipin Mulani, Director, Top Brands LLC, master franchise for Being Human Clothing in the region.

Founded by Bollywood star Salman Khan, Being Human Clothing is known for its promotion of ‘Conscious Fashion’ through trendy apparels for both men and women.

Launched under the Being Human – The Salman Khan Foundation in 2012, the brand supports a range of educational and healthcare initiatives for underprivileged communities. Currently present in 15 countries, it offers customers an opportunity to not only look good but also contribute to meaningful social causes, staying true to its vision of blending fashion with philanthropy.

A global leader in sneaker culture, Foot Locker plans to make its omnichannel debut in India on Oct 19, 2024. The brand will launch physical stores in partnership with Metro Brands while it will also introduce a dedicated Foot Locker website and a shop-in-shop in partnership with Nykaa Fashion on the e-commerce player’s platform.
Foot Locker’s first physical store at Select City Walk in New Delhi will introduce the brand’s globally launched Reimagined concept, offering a cutting-edge shopping experience. With a focus on innovation, the store will provide an interactive and intuitive journey for Indian consumers and sneaker enthusiasts. Complementing the in-store experience, Nykaa Fashion’s digital platform will deliver a seamless online shopping journey that mirrors the excitement of the physical store.
Through these initiatives, Foot Locker India aims to connect with youth, culture, and passion-driven communities. Known as Stripers, the brand’s ambassadors are category experts who will enhance the shopping experience and play a vital role in community programs. Additionally, Foot Locker will offer India’s FLX(TRA) Rewards Program, allowing customers to earn rewards while engaging with top sneaker and apparel brands like Nike, Jordan, adidas, Puma, etc. It will make sneaker personalisation services available at the Sneaker Hub, and sneaker care products from brands like Crep will also be offered.
Peter Scaturro, Senior Vice President-Strategic Planning & Growth, Foot Locker, opines, this expansion will help boost the company’s global growth. Nissan Joseph, CEO, Metro Brands, adds, the collaboration between the two companies will shape India’s growing sneaker culture, while Adwaita Nayar, Co-Founder, Nykaa and CEO, Nykaa Fashion, emphasises, it will help Nykaa deliver a next-gen digital shopping experience to India’s vibrant sneaker community.

Landmark Group’s value fashion brand, Max Fashion has signed actor Kalki Koechlin as the brand ambassador for its latest campaign for the festive season.

This campaign follows Max Fashion’s ambitious expansion strategy to add at least 50 new stores this year, bringing its total to over 550 by the end of 2024. The brand also plans to revamp its existing stores nationwide to enhance the shopping experience for consumers.

The brand’s expansion plans align with its goal to understand evolving customers’ needs, says Sumit Chandna, Deputy CEO, Max Fashion. The brand currently has 520 stores across 200 cities in India, including 42 outlets in Bengaluru alone. Notably, in 2023, it opened its largest store in Kochi, covering more than 25,000 square feet.

Excluding food and grocery, the Indian value retail market is projected to rise to $170 billion by 2026 from $111 billion in FY23, according to a report by Wazir Advisors. This growth will be primarily led by the apparel sector that is projeceted to grow at a CAGR of 15 per cent from 2023-2026.

Max Fashion aims to establish itself as a true omnichannel platform. However, for this, the brand first needs to create an engaging in-store experience, where customers queue up outside the store for its attractive offerings, says Santosh Sreedhar, Partner, Avalon Consulting.

The brand should focus on delivering quality at reasonable prices, fusion fashion or even pure ethnic styles for the masses, adds Abha Wankhede, Associate Professor – Marketing, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management. The brand also needs to expand into the Tier II and III markets, she notes.

Pravin Govindu, Partner, Deloitte India, opines, Max Fashion's success depends on effective cost management across manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution. The brand can consolidate its positon in the value retail market by navigating these challenges and implementing its growth strategy, he adds

Indian designer Anita Dongre has collaborated with world renowned toy brand Barbie to design a special doll for the Diwali season, one of the India’s most significant celebrations.
Highlighting the rich cultural heritage of India, the ‘Diwali Barbie’ doll is dressed in a Moonlight Bloom set, featuring a traditional choli top, a flower adorned Koti vest and a lehenga skirt embellished with floral motifs like dahlias, jasmine, and lotus flowers. The doll also adorns traditional Indian accessories such as golden bangles, glittering earrings and a bindi with its packaging further enhancing the Diwali spirit.
Expressing her admiration for Barbie as a fashion icon, Dongre notes, representing fearlessness, ambition, and aspiration, the toy brand empowers women to follow their dreams. Designing a doll for this label was a meaningful experience, as both brands share a common vision to encourage women to celebrate their individuality and heritage, she emphasises.
Krista Berger, Senior Vice President - Barbie and Global Head –Dolls, Mattel, explains, much like Barbie herself, Dongre’s label also stands as a symbol of women’s empowerment and representation. Focusing on the upcoming Diwali season, Barbie’s collaboration with Dongre, aligns perfectly with the brand’s mission to promote a multidimensional view of beauty and fashion.
A major fashion powerhouse from India, Dongre is known for her brand’s ethos of ‘Fashion for Good Rooted In Rajasthan.’ Her designs blend traditional Indian craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, drawing inspiration from Rajasthan’s vibrant and colorful culture.

Apparel and lifestyle brand Rare Rabbit will open its first EBO for kidswear in Ahmedabad on Oct 5, 2024. Marking the brand’s continued expansion in Gujarat, this new store reinforces its growing presence in the region.
Located on the second floor of the Nexus One Mall, the store features a bright and modern design, with a sleek white interior accented by graphic patterns and curved furniture. The layout reflects the brand’s youthful energy, with graphic t-shirts, bold sweaters, pants, and streetwear-inspired separates, available in sizes for children of all ages. The new store by Rare Rabbit joins other popular brands in the mall, including Hidesign, Accessorize, Chumbak, Aldo, and United Colors of Benetton.
Expanding its brick-and-mortar network across India, Rare Rabbit launched several exclusive brand outlets in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu in late July. The brand also ventured into the footwear market by launching its sub-brand Rare’z to offer a line of sporty sneakers to complement its apparel collections.

Making its offline debut, renowned luxury menswear brand French Crown is launching its first physical stores in key Indian cities.

Founded in 2016 by Ilesh Ghevariya and Bhavdip Ghevariya, French Crown is renowned for its commitment to sustainable fashion. Initially an online-only platform, the brand quickly built a global following for its premium yet affordable menswear. It is currently present in over 90 countries and introduces more than 300 new designs every week.

The new physical stores of the brand will offer in-store tailoring services, ensuring a perfect fit tailored to each customer's style. They will feature sleem, modern interiors to provide and elevated shopping experience to customers, adds Ghevariya.

The offline expansion will begin with 10 stores in major Indian cities, giving customers the chance to directly experience the brand's dedication to style, quality, and comfort. These locations have been strategically selected to cater to fashion-forward, style-conscious consumers.

This move is part of French Crown’s broader strategy to grow its presence across India, making luxury fashion more accessible while maintaining its focus on sustainability and craftsmanship. The introduction of the new ‘Frenchies’ line, featuring trendy and comfortable everyday styles, further broadens the brand's appeal.

The first stores will open in cities like Surat, Akola, Chandrapur, Nagpur, and Delhi. French Crown’s offline expansion, combining its robust online platform with immersive physical stores, offers customers the best of both worlds—luxury fashion at their fingertips and the personalised experience of in-store shopping.