Sportswear brand Puma India has collaborated with the IPL team ‘Delhi Players’ to launch a new campaign to connect with the team’s passionate fanbase.

Titled ‘Delhi Save the Light’, the campaign stars cricketers Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull and Rishab Pant. It portrays Delhi’s strong-willed nature, says Dhull. Shreya Sachdev, Marketing Head, Puma India, believes, the campaign celebrates the unwavering spirit of Delhities.

The campaign enables Puma India, the official kit partner for Delhi Capitals to not only spread the excitement of cricket across the country but also boost sales of their merchandise by riding the wave of the team's strong fanbase.

Having become a zero-debt company, textiles to engineering conglomerate, Raymond Group, plans to expand its apparel business.

Amit Agarwal, Chief Financial Officer, reveals, last year, the brand expanded its retail presence by adding over 200 stores. It now plans to expand by adding 400-500 more stores, reaching a total of 2,000 within the next three years.

Raymond currently generates revenues of Rs 1,500 crore from its apparel business. Bolstered by renowned brands such as Raymond Ready To Wear, Park Avenue, and ColorPlus, the group aims to capture a larger share in India’s apparel market, states Agarwal.

Predominantly a formal clothing brand, Raymond plans to broaden its market reach by infusing casualisation and premiumisation into its product offerings. The company plans to augment production capacity to 11 million pieces with an investment of Rs 200 crore within the next 18 months. It will primarily expand its capacity in Bengaluru, with some capacity enhancements in Ethiopia.

Renowned menswear brand Celio has partnered with Indian Premier League team (IPL), Mumbai Indians to launch an exclusive merchandise collection.

Featuring a captivating assortment offering everything from stylish sweatshirts to trendy t-shirts in shades of grey, sky blue, and vibrant multi-colors, the meticulously designed collection reflects the fervor and vibrancy of both the Mumbai Indians franchise and the city of Mumbai itself.

Slated to be available through various channels, including Celio's official website, select Celio stores nationwide, the MI Shop, prominent online marketplaces, leading departmental stores, and esteemed multi-brand outlets, the collection enables fans to display their allegiance to the Mumbai Indians team, says Satyen Momaya, CEO, Celio,

The designs of this chic and fashionable collection encapsulate the spirit of Mumbai, showcasing captivating visuals that truly capture the essence of the city, he adds.

Renowned menswear brand Raymond is strategically pivoting towards the ethnic wear apparel segment to drive growth, aiming to capitalize on emerging market opportunities across India. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the brand intends to inaugurate 125 new brick-and-mortar stores, signaling its commitment to tapping into the burgeoning demand for branded ethnic wear, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming wedding season.

Sunil Kataria, CEO, Raymond Lifestyle, says, there is an escalating demand for branded ethnic wear in the market and Raymonds plans to leverage this momentum to bolster sales through the expansion of its retail footprint.

Despite the initial setback faced by physical retail stores in the aftermath of the pandemic, Raymond is confident in the resurgence of offline retail. Concurrently, e-commerce, which witnessed a surge in demand during the pandemic, has stabilised at levels surpassing pre-COVID-19 figures. In response, Raymond is adopting an omni-channel approach to optimise sales and enhance customer reach.

India's premier homegrown fashion brand, BIBA unveiled its latest summer collection, themed ‘Har Nazar Mein Kuch Naya,’ at its flagship store in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This unveiling marked yet another significant milestone in BIBA's journey of bringing unrivaled fashion to the heart of India.

The launch event was graced by the esteemed Odia celebrity, Archita Sahu, renowned for her achievements, including being the 1st runner-up in Femina Miss India. During the event, patrons got a unique opportunity to be styled by the guest celebrity, who also shared valuable fashion insights.

As the summer season approaches, BIBA presents a vibrant tapestry of colors, intricate patterns, and effortless styles in its latest collection. Each ensemble is meticulously crafted to tell a distinct story, capturing the essence of summer adventures.

This season, BIBA transcends mere presentation, offering a celebration of novelty and diversity in fashion. From chic contemporary designs to timeless classics, the Summer Collection 2024 promises to cater to the varied tastes and preferences of fashion enthusiasts.

With the grand unveiling of the Summer Collection 2024, BIBA invites customers to explore new style horizons. The latest collection showcases an exquisite array of ensembles, from timeless salwar-kameez dupattas to versatile kurta sets, skirts, and more, catering to the discerning tastes of Bhubaneswar's fashion-forward clientele.

Siddharath Bindra, Managing Director, BIBA, says, the collection aims to make customers’ visits to a BIBA store a delightful experience and allow them to explore latest trends, indulge in timeless classics, and find pieces that resonate with their individual style.

With 6 stores in Bhubaneshwar and 10 stores across Odisha, BIBA is confident of receiving a fantastic response from consumers in the state. BIBA's relentless pursuit of exploring business potential in the rapidly growing Indian market has earned it a niche position in the retail apparel segment.

Indian menswear brand Barcelona is gearing up for a strategic expansion into the vibrant market of Bangladesh. With a keen focus on denim, the brand intends to ramp up its apparel sourcing operations within the country.

Barcelona aims to procure half of its denim products from Bangladesh, signaling a significant commitment to tapping into the nation's manufacturing capabilities.

This move is accompanied by plans to further bolster denim sourcing and venture into knitwear production within the Bangladeshi market.

Emphasising Barcelona’s penchant for forging enduring relationships with its partners, Jaimin Gupta, Founder, says, the brand is seeking out ready-made garment manufacturers capable of handling smaller orders while prioritising product development. The brand remains committed to prompt payments and transparent dealings, he highlights.

Established by entrepreneur Jaimin Gupta in Ahmedabad in 2015, Barcelona originated as a mid-priced men's western wear label. Since its inception, the brand has flourished, boasting a network of over 125 franchise stores across India and a presence in more than 50 cities nationwide. The brand aims to further solidify its foothold in the Indian market by launching 100 franchise stores throughout the 2024 calendar year.

Sephora continues its strategic adjustments in Asia, following its departure from the Taiwanese market last May. The LVMH group's prestigious perfume chain is now gearing up to exit South Korea due to intense local competition.

Announced through social media channels, Sephora South Korea will commence a gradual withdrawal from the country starting May 6, 2024. This decision encompasses the closure of its six physical stores, its local e-commerce platform, and its mobile application.

Established in South Korea since 2019, Sephora initially expressed confidence in the market's growth potential, despite encountering challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the market landscape, dominated by formidable local players like CJ Olive Young boasting over 1,300 outlets, posed significant obstacles.

In January, Sephora saw the departure of its managing director for China, a move also attributed to the fierce competition with local rivals. This competitive landscape has hampered Sephora's growth in China, although the country remains a key focus alongside the United States.

With a global presence spanning 35 countries, Sephora has been forecasted by industry experts to achieve €12 billion in sales by 2022. The company has its sights set on reaching €20 billion in sales, although no specific deadline has been provided.

Donear Industries plans to set up 50 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) to spotlight its newly unveiled neo-stretch fabric, reveals Rajendra V Agarwal, Managing Director.

The Donear Group currently operates under three flagship companies: GBTL, OCM, and Donear Industries, boasting five nationally recognised brands alongside approximately 10-12 luxury brands, serving a diverse consumer base across India.

This year, Donear is set to unveil two new retail formats; specialty stores and multi-brand outlets. Meticulously curated for menswear, these specialty stores will showcase an extensive array of products meticulously crafted from our four-way stretch fabric, adds Agarwal.

In addition, Donear also plans to establish a chain of MBO stores under the Donear Group banner, serving as comprehensive destinations offering collections ranging from premium luxury fabrics to general apparel.

Over the next two years, the company plans to open 50 EBOs and MBOs, each spanning across 600-1,000 sq ft, operating through the franchise format.

It will initially focus on the West Zone and North Zone due to its robust presence in these regions, Agarwal adds.

The company currently operates over 450 D’Cot stores under Donear Industries,
offering casual trousers, shirts, and accessories in a value format.

In the B2C segment, the company reports a year-on-year growth of 5-10 per cent.
Its EBIDTA falls within the range of 9-11 per cent, with a surplus of 5-6 per cent post depreciation and interest. Its total business turnover stands at around Rs 1,700 crore, with an average annual cashflow of Rs 70-80 crore, out of which Rs 20-30 crore is allocated for existing business operations, and Rs 50 crore is earmarked for expansion projects, he explains

Furthermore, within the next 2-3 years, the company plans to venture into the rugs and carpets business by establishing a Greenfield facility in Jammu spanning across 10 acre.