Lee Cooper launched their eco-friendly clothing line, the Lee Cooper ECO collection, featuring the world's first jeans made from recycled cigarette butts.
This sustainable initiative coincides with Earth Day and aims to reduce waste.
Lee Cooper recognizes the power of Indian content creators and sees them as environmental influencers, not just celebrities.
Actor Karan Kundrra introduced the collection at a Thane store alongside influencers and host Anushka.
Iconic American denim brand, Levi’s recently inaugurated its largest mall store in India. Located at Koramangala, Bengaluru, the store spans 6,000 sq ft and boasts of the innovative Indigo format. It incorporates a Tailor Shop that offers personalised options to shoppers.
Hiren Gor, General Manager - South Asia, Levi Strauss & Co, emphasises, India is a pivotal market for the brand with the opening of the brand’s store at Nexus Mall store being a key milestone in their expansion strategy within the country.
Catering to both men and women, the store showcases a comprehensive range of clothing, accessories, and footwear, featuring the timeless Levi’s denim collection tailored to suit diverse tastes.
Levi Strauss India was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the San Francisco-based retailer in 1994 Over the years, the brand has solidified its presence with notable landmarks including the unveiling of Asia's largest Levi’s store spanning 7,521 sq ft a year ago in Bengaluru.
Presently, Levi’s boasts a robust network of over 400 store locations across India, according to data from the SaaS platform Agenty.
Renowned sports brand, Puma has announced esteemed fitness model, Milind Soman, as its new running ambassador for the Indian market. As a part of this collaboration, Soman will promote Puma’s Nitro range of footwear and apparel through diverse campaigns across various platforms. He will also participate in top running events and campaigns throughout the year, representing the brand with his unmatched vigor.
Emphasising on Soman’s pivotal role as a running icon in India, Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, Puma India, highlights, the association underscores the brand’s unwavering commitment to support athletes across all spectrums, regardless of age, background, or circumstances. Soman’s addition to the Puma would further propel the running movement in the country, adds Balagopalan.
Through this collaboration Soman aims to inspire individuals across the world to transcend their perceived limitations and surpass challenges. Recognising the importance of quality running gear in enhancing the running experience, he pledged to collaborate closely with Puma.
In the fiscal year 2023, Trent revenues grew to Rs 82.13 billion while its profit after tax rose to Rs 5.55 billion. Boasting a remarkable 25.6 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years, along with a commendable dividend payout of 20 per cent, this growth trajectory reflects the exceptional leadership of Venkatesalu P, CEO and Executive Director.
Under the dynamic leadership of Venkatesalu P, Trent has experienced an impressive market capitalisation of Rs 1.45 trillion. His strategic prowess has propelled Trent to achieve substantial growth in both revenue and net profit, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the retail sector.
Trent's retail portfolio comprises a diverse range of brands and concepts in the fashion and lifestyle space, including Westside, Zudio, Utsa, Misbu, and Samoh.
As a testament to Venkat's adept execution of innovative concepts that deliver value to stakeholders, analysts' subsequent reports have confirmed the resounding success of Trent's retail brands with Zudio shining brightly as a beacon of affordable fast fashion
Zudio has excelled not just in offering a compelling customer value proposition, but also swiftly launching trendy collections, leveraging robust customer insights, implementing vertical integration to streamline the product creation life cycle, establishing a robust retail brand within a relatively short period and creating a competitive advantage through offline stores in an e-commerce-driven landscape.
Recognised for its western casual brands like Jack and Jones and Vero Moda, renowned retailer Bestseller plans to close its Indian ethnic wear brand, Indifusion, after three years of acquisition. This move is influenced by the significant losses faced by the brand in recent times and declining demand in the ethnic wear sector, as reported by retailers and mall owners.
Bestseller had acquired Indifusion during the peak of the pandemic in a distress sale, despite lacking prior experience in operating an Indian wear label. An industry executive noted the inherent challenges for a predominantly western brand company in understanding and navigating the nuances of the Indian wear segment, a task exacerbated by the overall slowdown in discretionary spending, particularly in apparel.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in consumer preferences from traditional ready-to-stitch clothing to ready-to-wear garments. National players such as BIBA, W, AND, and Global Desi have played pivotal roles in driving growth in branded apparel, with a significant transition towards ethnic and western wear. However, despite the global fashion brands' push for westernised clothing in the Indian market, ethnic wear remains the dominant category in women's wear, comprising 71 per ent of the market share.
Devarajan Iyer, CEO, Lifestyle International, highlights, the current stagnation in the growth of the ethnic wear segment over the past year contrasts sharply with the double-digit expansion witnessed in western wear. This trend underscores the changing consumer behavior, where ethnic wear is increasingly reserved for special occasions rather than everyday wear.
Pakhi Saxena, Head-Retail and Consumer Products, Wazir Advisors, affirms, despite these challenges, the women's ethnic wear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8 per cent between FY23 and FY26 to surpass $22 billion by FY26.
According to her, consumers are gravitating more towards clothing that blends cultural influences with comfort and convenience, a trend reflected in the rising popularity of fusion wear.
Characterised by its contemporary interpretation of traditional garments, fusion wear has seen remarkable growth driven by factors such as the increasing female workforce, the younger demographic's embrace of traditional wear with modern twists, and the influence of fashion and entertainment industries. From pairing basic kurtis with jeans to experimenting with sarees and lehengas teamed with unconventional tops, fusion wear continues to evolve in response to changing fashion trends and consumer preferences, says Saxena.
As direct-to-consumer brands gain traction and more individuals embrace western and fusion wear, the traditional wear segment faces challenges. However, with innovation and adaptation, the industry remains poised for transformation and growth in the evolving fashion landscape.
India's foremost technology-native retail company, Ace Turtle has bagged the prestigious Images 'Award of Excellence' at the India Fashion Forum 2024.
Organised by India’s prominent retail industry publication, Images, this accolade celebrates Ace Turtle's pioneering strides in establishing itself as India's premier fully digitally integrated retailer.
The Images Award of Excellence recognises trailblazing companies that have reshaped the retail landscape. Ace Turtle's steadfast dedication to seamless omnichannel integration across all facets of its operations - from online shopping experiences to in-store customer engagement - deeply impressed the jury.
Nitin Chhabra, CEO, Ace Turtle, states, this award validates the company’s distinctive tech-driven operational model, its unrivaled omnichannel technology prowess, and inherent technology-oriented mindset. It is further developing several pioneering retail technology innovations harnessing emerging technologies such as AI and IoT.
As part of its commitment to spearheading the next phase of evolution in the Indian retail industry through its Retail Nxt approach, Ace Turtle has been at the forefront with its tech-powered business model and development of proprietary tech platforms, namely Rubicon & Connect. Rubicon 3.0, the latest iteration of the omnichannel technology platform, empowers Ace Turtle to maintain a unified view and facilitate effortless, optimised management of commerce operations across channels for its licensed global brands like Lee, Wrangler, Toys"R"Us, Babies"R"Us, and Dockers. This encompasses a single view of catalogue, inventory & price across channels such as online marketplaces, websites, endless aisles, social commerce, and conversational commerce, extending to customer order management, optimised fulfillment, deliveries, returns, and customer support.
Currently deployed across more than 110 stores of Lee, Wrangler, Toys
R’Us, and Dockers in India, the Connect 2.0 app digitises the store’s operations, streamlining numerous manual activities. The app empowers retail store teams by enhancing their efficiency and engagement through communications, training, helpdesk services, and workflows. It equips store teams to execute vital store activities like omnichannel order fulfillment and visual merchandising using their smartphones. Additionally, the Connect 2.0 app incorporates new modules such as Settlement Reports, Retail Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Leaderboard, Store Weekly Performance, Training, and Attendance, enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
Resort wear and swimwear brand, Verandah has attained the prestigious Butterfly Mark certification for its dedication to the well-being of the planet.
The certification places Verandah among the esteemed ranks of global luxury giants like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tom Ford Beauty, all recognised by Positive Luxury, a UK-based organisation specialising in sustainability within the luxury industry.
Anjali Patel Mehra, Founder, Verandah, explains, the brand embarked on a comprehensive evaluation spanning environmental impact, social responsibility, governance practices, and innovative initiatives.
The assessment covered an extensive criterion including labor standards, fair trade practices, alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), sustainable sourcing methods, waste management strategies, and corporate social responsibility efforts.
Receiving the Butterfly Mark certification marks a significant milestone for Verandah, with reassessments scheduled every two years. The brand aims to continue to excel in all sustainability aspects and embracing best practices to further minimise their ecological footprint, adds Mehra.
Verandah soon plans to unveil two collections, Anjuna and Parra, named after two enchanting villages in Goa, These collections embody the essence of Goa, known not just for its beaches and music but also for its captivating landscapes, adds Mehra.
Offering a fresh take on wardrobe staples, H&M has teamed up with emerging brand Rokh to launch a new collaborative collection. Available both in selected stores and online at hm.com, this collection brings Korean designer Rok Hwang's meticulous attention to detail to a diverse range of pieces, spanning womenswear, menswear, and accessories.
Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor and Head-Design Womenswear, H&M, says, the collection aims to introduce Hwang's work to a wider audience, blending his distinctive aesthetic with H&M's accessibility.
Inspired by 1980s office power dressing, the collection takes a playful approach to reinventing classic styles. It features deconstructed corset tops, dresses, and accessories with customisable details such as button fastenings and hook-and-eye trims allowing for individualised styling.
A few of the standout pieces for women in the collection include a double-layer trench coat and an oversized blazer with an extended metallic-notched belt. Statement occasion wear styles include a black corset dress with a detachable, irregularly pleated hem and a cut-out blazer mini dress. For men, the collection offers oversized trench coats and cocooning leather blazers, challenging traditional corporate attire norms.
Rok Hwang, Creative Director, Rokh, emphasises, featuring customisable details and decisive cuts, his collections are timeless. He expressed excitement about seeing customers engage with the collection and interpret it in their unique ways.
In its latest annual report, Spanish fashion giant Inditex announced plans to introduce two of its renowned brands, Bershka and Zara Home, into the thriving Indian market. The brand will launch the inaugural store of Bershka will be located in Mumbai while the Zara Home store will be launched in Bengaluru.
Known for its previous successful ventures like Zara in 2010 and Massimo Dutti launched eight years ago, Inditex now plans to target India’s youth population. Through its Bershka store, the company aims to directly challenge Reliance Retail's new store Yousta, which also caters to the younger consumer segment.
According to experts, Bershka will be primarily geared towards teens to mid-20s, distinguishing itself from Zara's target audience of 20-40-year-old fashion enthusiasts. Devangshu Dutta, Founder, Third Eyesight, a retail consulting firm, notes, with its emphasis on knits and casual wear says, Bershka's product range will perfectly align with the lifestyle of its intended customer base, thus ensuring minimal cannibalisation of Zara's market share.
Whether Bershka will be able to strike the right price points demanded by young Indian consumers remains to be seen. According to a recent report by Motilal Oswal, valued at Rs 2.5 lakh crore and constituting 57 per cent of India’s total apparel market, the value fashion segment is one of the fastest-growing in India. The market is being explored by consumers with rising disposable incomes beyond metro and Tier-1 cities.
A unit of the Tata Group's Trent, Zudio has witnessed remarkable growth since its inception in 2016-17, boasting nearly 400 standalone stores. The store’s success has spurred the entry of national retailers like Yousta by Reliance Retail, Style-Up by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, and InTune by Shoppers Stop into the affordable youth clothing segment. This competitive landscape underscores the significance of understanding and catering to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers in the fashion industry.
Denim and casual wear brand Levi’s has expanded its brick-and-mortar presence in Rajasthan by opening first exclusive brand outlet in Ajmer. Located in the Mittal Mall in the city, the store houses a selection of apparel and accessories for men and women.
The store offers the ‘Denim for Life’ collection of classic jeans by Levi’s. Additionally, it also houses chinos, shirts, and tapered pants, etc. Shoppers can also select from a wide range of graphic t-shirts, casual separates, and more feminine designs for women such as denim maxi skirts.
Established in 1873 in the US, Levi’s is present in over 110 countries worldwide. The brand has several exclusive brand outlets in India besides a dedicated e-commerce store.
Poised to make significant strides in the market, European shoe brand AstorMueller with plans to expand its operations in India by unveiling new footwear and apparel brands, and setting up new stores, says Sandip Kanti Baksi, COO.
After launching brands like bugatti and TT.BAGATT in India, AstorMueller recently launched nu:beat, a brand blending fashion, music, and cultural essence. Crafted by Johanna Müller, a music enthusiast and scion of Europe's iconic Müller family, nu:beat debuted in India and is set for global expansion.
Further, AstorMueller acquired Salamander and is set to relaunch it in Europe this year before its Indian debut in FY25.
With nu:beat offering a diverse range of products across footwear, apparel, and accessories, AstorMueller plans to establish physical stores nationwide by the end of the financial year. It will initially open 8-10 offline stores in top-tier cities, alongside collaborations with MBOs like VegNonVeg and Superkicks.
AstorMueller also aims to double the offline presence of bugatti and TT.BAGATT, investing in stores spanning 1,200 - 1,500 sq ft. To enhance accessibility, the company plans to increase its presence in shop-in-shop setups across the country. By March 2025, it aims to be present in 70 SIS locations, up from the current 18.
Recognising the evolving market dynamics, AstorMueller is setting up a new manufacturing facility in South India to align with its goal of localising production. This will enable the company to shift exports from China to India, complementing existing production facilities in Agra and Rampur.
The menswear brand by Zodiac Clothing Company (ZCCL), Zodiac has launched the 2024 Positano Pure Linen Collection crafted from linen woven from flax grown in the Normandy region of France which is amongst the best quality in the world. The unique soil and climatic conditions of this region coupled with generations of expertise inherited by the local flax growers result in taller, more slender flax plants which results in very high quality Linen fabric.
The color palette of this collection reflects the mesmerising sight of Positano, a quaint town situated at the Amalfi Coast on the Italian Riviera- beige, pink, yellow and terra cotta houses cascading down the side of hills to the crystal blue Mediterranean waters.
They are available in a wide range of solids, stripes and checks in both short and long sleeves, and can be paired with Zodiac Linen Jackets, Trousers & Bandhgalas for a very elegant ensemble.
Salman Noorani,, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Zodiac Clothing Company, says, the colors of shirts in Zodiac’s 2024 Positano Collection showcase the hues of the Italian Riveira in the linen fabrics woven from French flax.
A vertically integrated, trans-national, ZCCL controls the entire clothing chain from design, manufacturing, distribution to retail sales.
With a manufacturing base in India and sales offices across India, UK, Germany and the US, ZCCL employs around 2,500 people. The company operates a 5,000 sq ft Italian inspired design studio at its Mumbai Corporate office which is a LEED Gold certified building. The brand is retailed across India at premium prices through over 100 company-managed stores and over 1,000 multi – brand retailers.
_thumbnail.jpg)
Leading footwear and accessories specialty retailers, Metro Brands (MBL), has extended its partnership with Crocs India (CIL), a global leader in innovative casual footwear. The two companies have signed a retail partnership agreement, granting MBL exclusive rights to operate and own Crocs ‘full price’ stores across the western and southern states in India and increase in residual balance term of the contract.
Further, the agreement gives MBL the right to continue, renew and operate all existing Crocs stores currently operational in Northern & Eastern states of India.
Initiated in 2008, the partnership introduced Crocs' products within MBL multi-brand outlets. In 2015, both the the brands inked a nonexclusive retail license agreement authorising MBL to distribute Crocs products in India, aligning seamlessly with the MBL mission of bringing global brands to India and offering a dynamic retail experience to its customers. Today, MBL operates over 200 exclusive stores of Crocs across India.
Sumit Dhingra, Vice President & General Manager, India, Middle East & Africa, Crocs says, the brand’s partnership with Metro Brands has played a pivotal role in translating its unique value proposition of self-expression, personalisation and iconic comfort – into a retail experience that resonates deeply with Indian consumers.
Nissan Joseph, CEO, Metro Brands adds, the company’s partnership with Crocs has been extraordinary, and it is poised for further growth in advancing Crocs' presence in our country.
