11th September 2021, Mumbai:

Japanese performance sportswear firm Asics plans to expand its footprints in India by adding 18 stores to its sales network in 2022. It aims to achieve a value-based growth of up to 25 per cent by that time.

The company, which has already started domestic production of some of its products here, expects to meet 30 per cent of local sourcing requirements under the current FDI policy in retail.

Besides, ASICS is also expanding its products portfolio and expects around 40 per cent of sales to be contributed from e-commerce, a channel in which it has witnessed fast growth after the pandemic.

As per its strategy, it would intensify its presence on e-commerce platforms while expanding its business through its network of retail stores also, says RajatKhurana, Managing Director, Asics India. Currently, ASICS operates a network of 55 stores in the country, on a franchise model.

Recently, the company expanded the width of its apparels business. It expects business to grow by 20-25 per cent in 2022 by value," he added.

Besides, the company is also expanding its width on e-commerce platforms, which has registered fast growth led by a change in consumer behavior after the pandemic, adds Khurana.

TOP 5:

• ASICS plans to open 18 new locations in India by 2022, with a 25 percent increase in revenue
• Adidas has opened a digital flagship store in India
• Vedant Fashions, the proprietor of 'Manyavar,' has filed IPO documents with the Sebi
• In FY21-22, the Indian government will provide Rs. 56,027 crore and will pay off all outstanding export incentives
• Apparel and textile companies in India are celebrating; the PLI program has made the sector very happy

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6th September 2021, Mumbai:

Ikkivi, a multi-brand e-commerce site committed to sustainable fashion and lifestyle items, has begun a size inclusiveness campaign with a group of influencers and intends to be fully size-inclusive by June 2022.

According to the company's Facebook page, the site sells apparel from eco-friendly and sustainable womenswear companies such as Kanelle, The Summer House, and Ura Maku, among others, and is aiming to include size inclusiveness into its business ideals. Ikkivi's new size-inclusion agreement offers clothes in sizes 2XS to 5XL at no additional cost.

Ikkivi's founder Nivi Murthy told Vogue India, "Inclusive sizing is a vital aspect of ethics and ethical fashion." “When we presented the concept to our designers, they were instantly on board. We've made it necessary for the new designers to sign it because 16 of our 29 clothing designers have consented to sign it.”

The platform will begin a size inclusiveness campaign in September, collaborating with influencers that aim to promote body positivity. “Our goal is to raise awareness in this sector and provide individuals all around the world with the chance to buy sustainably manufactured clothing in a variety of sizes,” Murthy added. 

The normative fashion system has touched scores of us, objectifying and reducing us to nothing more than our bodies, as Ikkivi declared on Facebook.

“We spoke with six women from around the world who are questioning the fashion industry in strong ways and leading significant dialogues on the subject, highlighting the need of looking into modern models and concerns that affect us at the grassroots level.”

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11th September 2021, Mumbai:

Flipkart has beefed up its logistics in Haryana ahead of the approaching Christmas shopping season, opening four new facilities to help merchants and extend its supply chain.

According to Asian News International, the new centers would allow Flipkart to provide enhanced support to over 13,000 Haryana-based vendors. According to the company, this would allow vendors to access millions of new clients across India. The new logistics centers will also create about 12,000 direct and indirect employment in the state, as part of Walmart's overall job-creation strategy in India. 

According to Flipkart, this extended supply chain will assist to economic growth in the region by allowing merchants to service a larger number of consumers with faster delivery times. In Haryana, the new facilities are in Sankpa, Yakubpur, Kulana, and Rewari.

The facilities cover over 12 lakh square feet and have a storage capacity of more than 30 lakh cubic feet. They're made to let vendors sell items in a variety of categories, including apparel, electronics, furniture, and major appliances.

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7th September 2021, Mumbai:

Var-Vadhu is open from October 1 to 4. In Pathankot, Punjab, the Indian Wedding Exhibition will bring together 70 exhibitors and about 200 wedding-themed companies to provide a one-stop shop for brides-to-be.

Bridal wear, men's wedding wear, occasion wear, wedding jewelry, cosmetics, perfumes, fashion accessories, wedding and honeymoon planners, wedding event planners, home furnishings, trousseau items, floral design, wedding photographers, and interior design will be among the product categories featured at the business-to-customer event.

According to the event page on 10Times, the retail fair is expecting approximately 5,000 people. The event will focus on brands in the mid-range to bridge-to-luxury segments of the wedding market and will be organized by Olampia Exhibition Private Limited with venue partner Utsav Resorts. Owing to the numerous weddings that had to be postponed due to Covid-19 and associated rules, wedding demand is likely to be above normal when lockdown restrictions are lifted in most regions of the state. 

The shopping expo is a chance for Punjab's wedding sector to rebound from the pandemic's impacts and for companies to access a larger audience. Olampia Exhibition organizes a variety of business-to-business and business-to-consumer events.

Other forthcoming events include the Cold Chain Asia trade exhibition, which will be held in Kashmir this October, and the Automobile Expo, which will be held in Jammu the same month.

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04 September 2021, Mumbai:

A Delhi court has ordered a city-based manufacturer to refrain from using the mark of worldwide luxury brand Gucci on its products and to pay damages of Rs 2 lakh and expenses of Rs 1.66 lakh.

The Florence-based luxury fashion business had petitioned the court to prevent Shipra Overseas, which is owned by Intiyaz Sheikh, from infringing on its trademark and copyright in the area of "socks."

Bharat Parashar, a district court, stated there was no reason to doubt Gucci's claim, noting that the company's products had a high level of goodwill, exclusivity, originality, and unique character. In a decision dated August 27, the court stated, "I am left with no question whatsoever that the plaintiff (Gucci) has been successful in proving its case entitling him to award of a judgement of permanent injunction in its favour and against the defendant."

The judge further ordered that all infringing items from the Delhi-based manufacturer's facilities be turned over to Gucci and destroyed.

He further stated that the firm is responsible to pay Gucci damages and awarded the latter Rs 2 lakh in addition to Rs 1.66 lakh in litigation expenses. Gucci said that in 2019, its field agents discovered Sheikh's firm manufacturing, distributing, and selling significant amounts of counterfeit items, including socks and packing material, under the "green and red stripes" trademark and mark "GUCCI."

It requested an injunction prohibiting the firm from using the mark "GUCCI" in any form, including manufacturing, trading, selling, supplying, promoting, offering for sale, or dealing in any other way.

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9th September 2021, Mumbai:

Slazenger, a sportswear company, has collaborated with the Flipkart group to expand its footprint in India. The partnership with Slazenger will take the shape of a sublicense arrangement through Inspire Sports, Slazenger's Indian licensee. Slazenger will offer its products on Flipkart Fashion and Myntra as part of the collaboration.

With this cooperation, the company hopes to see a significant increase in sales across the country, thanks to the combined client base of Flipkart and Myntra. 

“Flipkart and Myntra are at the forefront of the online fashion and lifestyle market in India today,” Manohar Kamath, chief of the house of brands at Flipkart Group, said in a statement. Slazenger's entry in India demonstrates our commitment to bringing the finest of international brands to millions of Indian customers and expanding their options in the athleisure and sports segments.” 

“We at Slazenger are pleased about the brand’s debut in India in conjunction with our Indian counterpart Inspire Sports Pvt Ltd. in partnership with Myntra and Flipkart,” Adrian Davie, Asia Pacific Licensing Manager at IBML, the worldwide licensor for Slazenger, stated.

To extend our brand legacy to the sports and fitness industry in India, we are interested in engaging in sports marketing partnerships and communications.” Slazenger's global licensor is International Brand Management and Licensing (IBML).

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9th September 2021, Mumbai:

Tagg, an Indian lifestyle brand, has named the Indian cricket team's vice-captain as its brand ambassador. Tagg hopes to increase its position in the Indian wearables market as a result of this partnership, and expects the cricketer's fan base to improve product sales, particularly during the next Indian Premier League season.

In a release, Rohit Sharma stated of his partnership with Tagg, "Tagg is a purpose-led Indian company with a vision to make technologically sophisticated products accessible to everyone." I'm excited to be a member of the Taggster Community, which is youthful and vibrant. Fitness and music are essential in my daily routine, therefore collaborating with a fresh Indian business that specializes in quality smart wearables is a dream come true.”

“Rohit Sharma has been an inspiration to the Indian youth with several world records under his belt, and we feel there couldn't have been a finer individual to lead the brand and the fellow Taggsters ahead,” said Rohit Dhingra, co-founder Tagg. We constantly aim to lead the market by bringing the newest technology that puts us ahead of the competition, just as he regularly leads Team India to victory.”

Tagg goods, which were launched in 2016, are accessible on popular e-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, and Paytm, among others. Offline, the brand is sold through multi-brand stores and distributors.

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