CIRCULAR TEXTILES: AN URGENT CALL FOR SHIFT

The fashion industry is one of the key consumers of natural resources such as water and energy. This widespread consumption due to fast fashion has devastating impacts on people and the planet. It is now more urgent than ever to shift from a linear - take, make, use, dispose - model to a circular model or circular economy where waste and pollution are designed out, products and materials are kept in use longer, and natural systems can regenerate. Mukul Agrawal, Chief Sustainability Officer, Birla Cellulose, shares his view on circular textiles and how brand Liva Reviva incorporates them in their products.

WOMEN'S WEAR ON A MASSIVE SURGE

A recent report estimates the Indian women's wear market to be over 1.2 billion people. This massive opportunity for women's wear brands in India is further fuelled by the growing disposable income of women in the country, increased accessibility to fashionable Western wear that's influenced by international trends, as well as the growing urge among women across age brackets and sizes to dress well. Through this article, some existing and new-age brands in the segment help us understand the opportunity better.

IFF 2022: SHARP. PROGRESSIVE. ICONIC.

The Indian fashion industry's much-awaited annual event - India Fashion Forum (IFF) - is all set to be hosted from March 23-24 at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram. Chaired by Akhilesh Prasad, President & CEO, Fashion & Lifestyle Business, Reliance Retail, the 21st edition of IFF will underline 'Purpose, Innovation, Experience and Engagement' as the tenets of future-proof, profitable fashion retail.

How To Not Let The Customer Down

‘The challenges CX leaders will face in 2022 are unlike what they’ve ever faced before – the goal is still to attract and retain customers, standing proud above your competitors – but the landscape has changed. So have the solutions,’ states the ‘2022 Global Consumer Trends’ report by Qualtrics XM. It highlights key areas companies can focus on in 2022 to have the biggest impact on their consumers and business, and get ahead of the pack.

The Future Of Retail: 10 Trends

As the world enters another year of the pandemic that has re-shaped the way we spend and consume, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, through its report titled ‘The Future 100: 2022’, brings to the fore 10 trends that will set the stage for retail and e-commerce this year and for years to come.

TWILLS

Launched in 1995 in Andhra Pradesh with its first collection of coloured cotton trousers, today, Twills has evolved into a one-stop solution that offers international styles in comfortable fabrics. In 2008, the brand had another feat to its credit – a 5,000 sqft exclusive store at MG Road, Vijayawada, and hasn’t looked back since.

UNIVERSAL SPORTSBIZ APPOINTS FILMMAKER KARAN JOHAR AS CHIEF CREATIVE ADVISOR

Filmmaker Karan Johar has joined hands with Universal Sportsbiz Pvt. Ltd. (USPL) to be their first-ever Chief Creative Advisor.

MSMEs & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: NEW PILLARS OF THE ECONOMY

Digital technology has a huge impact on all conceivable aspects of life, and it is transforming business in the global economy. It can help MSMEs expand their market reach at domestic and international levels. It is changing the shape of MSMEs at a faster pace. With appropriate digital strategies and quality products, anyone can make a big name for themselves in the market.

DIVAA BY ORRA LAUNCHES WALK-THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL STORE IN MUMBAI

DIVAA, a diamond jewellery brand by ORRA, has opened its first showroom at Palladium Mall in Lower Parel, Mumbai.

MEN'S FASHION BRAND TWILLS ONBOARDS: Jasprit Bumrah as Brand Ambassador

In 2008, Twills marked a milestone in its journey, by setting up its first flagship store of 5,000 sqft in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Now, the brand is accessible across the length and breadth of the country with 180 branded chain stores, 4000+ MBOs, 100 SISs and presence in all key large-format stores, growing their reach organically. Today, the brand is sold at 4,300 points of sale across the country. Good quality, good service and good vibes, always at the same affordable price — this is the philosophy behind the brand and helps customers feel confident and comfortable with its products.

CHANGING SCENARIO OF RETAIL & E-COMMERCE

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic, the retail and e-commerce sectors have witnessed tectonic shifts in terms of commerce and business. During the pandemic, the retail industry was inclined towards necessities and basics as the coronavirus ensured that such utilities never be out of fashion, but as vaccination picked speed and the festive season came closer, consumers dedicated their spending to revenge expenditure in travel, shopping, outings and more.

CREATING MEANINGFUL CONTENT WITH INFLUENCERS

In an era of information overload and content overflow, brands often confront complex challenges in connecting with their consumers. But whatever the challenges, trust, transparency and authenticity in messaging can make their task somewhat easier and augment the overall content strategy.

72% PEOPLE SAY THEY SPENT MORE ON FASHION LAST YEAR THAN IN 2020

According to buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform ZestMoney, 72% of respondents to its consumer survey said that they spent more on fashion in 2021 than the year before, indicating resurgence in consumer spending and demand in the segment.

How Year 2021 Panned For Businesses And Where They Are Headed In Year 2022!

Reports suggest that India’s direct selling industry would be valued at US$ 2.14 billion by the end of 2021. Brick-and-mortar retailers, too, have been growing steadily and several fashion brands are looking to open more stores in the upcoming financial year. Through this article, we take a look at how year 2021 panned for businesses and where they are headed in year 2022.

Sustainability Post Pandemic: 5 Tips To Make The Shift

The fashion industry is worth more than US$2.5 trillion and employs over 75 million people globally. Though the sector is booming, it has negatively impacted the environment. About 85 per cent of textiles go to the dump each year, and washing few types of clothes sends a large amount of microplastic into water bodies, further polluting essential resources. There is an urgent need to shift to truly sustainable practices.

THE LAST MILE PROMISE: SUPPLY CHAIN GOES PHYGITAL

Customer behaviour has changed in the post-pandemic world and today, depending on what customers expect from a brand they are shopping from, the brand or the retailer is changing his strategy of doing business. It is all about putting the right supply chain forward, inclusive of a good last-mile fulfilment device. Experts in the field share some insights with us on the growing importance of CX in last-mile fulfilment.

S.OLIVER GROUP PARTNERS WITH TECHNO DESIGN GMBH FOR SOURCING FROM INDIA & SRILANKA

S.Oliver Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Techno Design GmbH, a group company of PDS.

PERFECTING THE ‘PHYGITAL' SHOPPING EXPERIENCE: UNIFYING THE ECOSYSTEM FOR TODAY'S HYPER-CONNECTED CONSUMER

Phygital retail is all about creating that immersive experience for your customers both offline and online through varied tools. Though the lines of divide between the two may be blurring fast, there’s much that needs to be explored. Industry experts help us understand how brands are perfecting their strategies to give customers the true ‘phygital’ shopping experience.

XYXX LAUNCHES NEW ATHLEISURE LINES - HYPE AND CODE

Men’s innerwear and loungewear brand XYXX has launched two new athleisure lines - Hype and Code. Hype offers a range of joggers and shorts in cotton-rich fabrics.

RETAIL REALIGNED: WHAT'S DRIVING BUSINESS TODAY?

Much has been said about how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way businesses think and operate. In the fashion retail world, where product lifecycle from creation to delivery was once a long-drawn process, business are now looking to be more agile and quick, invest more in technology to make systems more automated, and lead with empathy. People and culture have taken precedence over sales generation. Experts from the sector share some key insights with us on changing yardsticks.

MICHAEL KORS ADDS FRESH DETAIL TO ITS TIMEPIECES FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Michael Kors has introduced its new range of timepieces - some reimagined and some classic.

LUXURY RETAIL: ADAPT, DIGITISE & WIN

In its latest report titled ‘Fashion and Luxury: Winning Recovery Strategies in a Post-COVID-19 World’, Euromonitor International provides a positive outlook of the sector in times to come, adding that it is set for a strong rebound driven by pent-up demand and domestic consumption. Players in the sector thus need to be well-equipped to make the most of the upcoming demand.

ADITI RAO HYDARI INTRODUCES NEBULA TIMEPIECES FOR WEDDINGS

Nebula from Titan has introduced a selection of 18KT gold timepieces for men and women to accessorise a variety of looks for festive occasions, especially weddings. At the launch of the collection, guest of honour Aditi Rao Hydari modelled the designs in gold embellished with diamonds and gemstones.

INITIATING SECURE SUPPLY CHAINS

The digital world, like all others, has its own benefits and drawbacks. While transactions and operations are quick and more transparent, they often run the risk of not being 100% secure. In the digital world, securing the supply chain is essential in securing the business of the company. Understanding its nuances can go a long way in efficient running of the business.

Deepika Padukone Boards Adidas Bandwagon

Adidas has welcomed global superstar and youth icon Deepika Padukone to the brand.

WINTER WEAR DRIVEN BY COMFORT AND WORKCATIONS

The Indian winter wear market has grown immensely this year and demand is pouring in from all corners of the country. While part of this surge in demand post COVID is a result of people going back to office, a part is also driven by those travelling to serene locations and hill stations to ‘work from home’. The growth in such workcations has led to demand for winter wear almost all year round.

MAKING IT BIG IN FASHION

From being turned down by Levi Strauss & Co. in a campus placement to being its Managing Director & SVP for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, the journey of Sanjeev Mohanty is an example of resilience and confidence. His has also been a journey that mirrors the growth of the fashion and retail business in India when the country opened to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

FASHION REIMAGINED: CONVERTING CHANGE TO PROGRESS

The Indian consumer’s behavioural and consumption patterns were already changing when the pandemic hit the fashion industry. The consumer was already leaning towards online purchases and treating in-store shopping more like an experience. The pandemic has only accelerated this change. At the Phygital Retail Convention, experts from the fashion sector deliberate on how they have adapted to this change quickly enough to benefi t from it and what the future holds.

How The Cotton & Handloom Industry Is Booming

The handloom industry is a very critical component of the Indian economy due to its noncapital intensive nature, great potential for exports, the attraction of foreign currency and direct ties with the rural economy.

Value E-Commerce: A $40 Billion Opportunity

As India’s retail industry evolves, a growing number of value-conscious online shoppers are reshaping India’s e-commerce landscape. Currently valued at US$4 billion, value e-commerce is expected to grow rapidly to reach US$20 billion by 2026 and US$40 billion by 2030, marking a 10X growth in 10 years.