Closing the Sustainable Fashion Day at LFW X FDCI 2024, designer brand Abraham & Thakore presented a shimmery collection of men’s and women’s fusion wear made from recycled materials.

The collection launched with celebrity Shefali Shah walking the ramp in an all-black shimmer saree paired with a long-sleeved blouse and a black belt. Exploring dystopian fashion, the collection transformed discarded materials into glamorous evening wear.

Abraham &Thakore used laser-cut sequins from discarded X-rays to add sparkle to dresses and formal separates. The brand also created embroidered trimmings using recovered film and unspooled cassette tapes. Besides, it also incorporated toffee wrappers, bin bags, kitchen foil, and rice sacks into the collection.

Held from Oct 09-13 in New Delhi, the LFW X FDCI 2024 event also featured presentations from brands including Péro, Antar Agni, and Payal Pratap, etc.

A recent report by Cushman & Wakefield has shed light on the pressing issue of India's limited retail space, particularly compared to its South Asian counterparts. The report highlights a substantial gap in the Retail Space Per Capita (RSPC) and underscores the urgent need for significant expansion in the sector. India's RSPC, currently is at a dismal 2.8 sq ft per person. This falls considerably behind other South Asian nations such as Indonesia (1.0), the Philippines (0.7), Thailand (0.9), and Vietnam (0.4). This disparity highlights the vast potential for growth in India's retail sector.

City-wise breakdown

Hyderabad, leads the pack with an impressive RSPC of 4.7 sq ft per capita, showcasing its thriving retail scene. The city's impressive RSPC can be attributed to several factors, including a growing IT sector, rising disposable incomes, and planned retail developments like Sarath City Capital Mall. Pune follows closely with 4 sq ft per capita, reflecting its growing consumer base and retail expansion. Retail growth is getting a boost from the young population, increased urbanization, and the influx of international brands. Phoenix Marketcity Pune stands as a testament to the city's retail dynamism.

Bengaluru stands at 3.8 sq ft per capita, indicating a robust retail market. The thriving retail scene is driven by its cosmopolitan population, strong IT sector, and the presence of major retail players like Orion Mall and Mantri Square Mall. Chennai records 3.6 sq ft per capita, showcasing steady growth. Mumbai maintains a healthy 3.2 sq ft per capita, despite space constraints. Delhi NCR stands at 2.7 sq ft per capita, revealing room for further retail development.
And Kolkata records 2.2 sq ft per capita, indicating potential for retail expansion.

Metro’s face space crunch
The report reveals, despite being major metropolitan areas, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR are facing acute shortages in quality retail space. This is particularly evident in the lack of Grade-A malls, which are essential for attracting international brands and providing a world-class shopping experience. The report also points to a growing demand for organized retail spaces in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. However, the lack of adequate infrastructure and investment poses a significant challenge to expansion in these areas.

In fact, select malls like Phoenix Marketcity in Mumbai and DLF Mall of India in Noida have demonstrated the potential for success in the Indian retail market. These malls have achieved high occupancy rates and strong footfall by offering a diverse mix of brands, entertainment options, and a premium shopping experience. On the other hand, several malls across the country are grappling with low occupancy rates and declining footfall. This can be attributed to factors such as poor location, inadequate tenant mix, and a lack of innovation in design and offerings.

The Cushman & Wakefield report serves as a wake-up call for industry stakeholders. To bridge the RSPC gap and meet the growing demand for retail spaces, a concerted effort is required from developers, investors, and policymakers. It shows significant investment is needed to develop Grade-A malls and other organized retail formats across the country. Expansion in Tier-II and III cities must be prioritized to tap into the vast untapped potential in these areas. Meanwhile malls need to differentiate themselves by offering unique experiences, focusing on entertainment and leisure activities, and adopting innovative design and technology. Government policies need to be streamlined to facilitate faster approvals and encourage investment in the retail sector.

India's retail sector is poised for significant growth in the coming years. However, to realize its full potential, the industry must address the pressing issue of limited retail space. The Cushman & Wakefield report provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and calls for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to bridge the RSPC gap and create a thriving retail ecosystem in India.

With subdued consumer demand in discretionary categories forcing retailers to prioritize cost-cutting and curtail expansion, India's retail sector experienced a significant deceleration in new store openings throughout 2024.

As per an analysis by ET, examining twelve prominent listed quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains, apparel, and grocery retailers, shows, on an average only three new stores opened per day in the past year, a stark contrast to the approximately ten daily openings observed in 2023.

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These companies, including Reliance Retail, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail, DMart, Tata's Trent, Titan, etc, collectively increased their store count by a mere 3 per cent to 34,839 outlets in the last calendar year, according to data from their latest investor presentations.

This figure represents a significant drop from the 12 per cent increase, from 33,670 outlets, recorded in 2023. The store network data reflects net additions, factoring in store closures during the year.

However, retailers assert that the store consolidation phase has concluded, and they are gearing up for renewed network expansion.

Vishak Kumar, CEO- Lifestyle Business, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, states, elimination of margin-draining stores has paved the way for renewed expansion efforts.

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Similarly, Kavindra Mishara, Managing Director, Shoppers Stop indicates, store rationalization will largely cease in the current fiscal year, with plans to open 12-15 new stores in FY26.

Slowdown in sales of discretionary items, such as apparel, footwear, and beauty, which began in 2023 following two years of pandemic-driven growth, persisted throughout 2024.

According to the Retailers Association of India (RAI), sales growth in organized retail segments slowed to mid-single digits last year, compared to 15 per cent in 2022.

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Consequently, many retailers closed underperforming stores to enhance profitability.

Retailers attribute the consumption slowdown to high food inflation, stagnant salary growth, increased consumer debt, limited job creation, and rising housing costs. Additionally, elevated real estate prices have posed challenges.

Kaushal Parekh, CFO, Metro Brands, explains, post-FY23, rising rental costs prompted a cautious approach to lease agreements. However, with rental expectations now moderating, there is an opportunity to accelerate expansion, he adds.

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The Kerala Retail Summit 2024, organized by the Retailers Association of India (RAI) in partnership with the Malabar Chamber of Commerce, took place on October 9 at Crowne Plaza Kochi. The event gathered industry leaders, experts, and retailers to discuss the evolving retail landscape and explore strategies for growth.
Key discussions at the summit focused on topics like branding strategies, social media, visual commerce, and technological trends. Expert panels offered insights on navigating challenges and leveraging innovations to drive sustainable retail growth.
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, highlighted Kerala’s potential for retail expansion, noting its consumer base’s readiness for modern retail formats. Deepak Aswani, Chairman of RAI Kochi Chapter, emphasized the importance of balancing tradition with modern consumer expectations. Mathew Joseph, COO of FreshToHome, and Nityanand Kamath, President of the Malabar Chamber of Commerce, echoed similar sentiments, urging retailers to focus on innovation while respecting Kerala’s unique retail culture.
The summit featured panel discussions on hyperlocal retail, digital payments, the relationship between small and large retailers, and more.

India’s premier fashion destination, Reliance Trends has launched its new Autumn/Winter collection, showcasing a captivating range of men’s, women’s, and children’s wear for the festive season. The brand also launched a new exclusive ‘Every Day Lower Prices’ concept that offers unbeatable deals on its latest collections.
Inspired by nature's timeless beauty, the menswear range in the new A/W collection reflects the essence of blooming flowers, serene rivers, and majestic mountains. Each of the garment pieces in this range offers a harmonious blend of classic and modern styles.
The women’s collection is a tribute to the enduring artistry of Indian craftsmanship, reinterpreted for the modern woman. Catering to diverse fashion choices, this collection offers varied styles ranging from side-gathered kurtas and layered kurtas to co-ord sets and ethnic dresses. It features antique metallic finishes fused with contemporary designs and floral prints, infusing nature’s beauty into various fabrics and silhouettes. The range blends the rich jewel tones of pinks, purples, blues, and ochres with neutrals and pastels in metallic hues to create a luxurious and sophisticated color palette.
Bringing to life the vibrant energy of meadows, the children’s wear collection offers playful patterns and cheerful colors that help brighten every child’s day. The soft and breathable fabrics used in this collection ensure easy movement for kids both while chasing butterflies and also building sandcastles. The dresses designed in whimsical patterns like twinkling stars and moonlit skies urge shoppers to explore the range, while T-shirts featuring friendly animal companions inspire curiosity about nature.
Crafted with utmost care, every piece in the children’s collection blends comfort with style. Minute details like tiny pockets perfect for storing treasures, seashell-shaped buttons, and embroidery help weave stories into every stitch, making the collection, a cherished addition to any child’s festive wardrobe.