Inc.5’s retail journey began with a simple yet powerful vision to offer stylish and comfortable footwear to the needs of modern consumers. From humble beginnings, Inc.5 steadily grew into a recognised and trusted brand across India. Over the years, it expanded its product categories, introduced new styles, and enhanced customer experience through innovation and design.
Today, with 90+ stores across the country and a strong online presence, Inc.5 is evolving continuously, blending fashion with functionality. The brand – which is well on the path to expanding its footprint both in metropolitan as well as emerging markets – credits its commitment to quality, comfort, and accessibility for its growth.
Product Range
Inc.5 – which seamlessly connects its physical stores and digital platforms to enhance customer convenience and satisfaction – offers a wide range of SKUs, something for every customer. Its range and price points include:
- Women’s wear: ₹1,790 – ₹6,000
- Menswear: ₹2,290 – ₹18,990
- Handbags: ₹1,890 – ₹5,290
Women’s footwear – of which the brand offers nearly 2,000 SKUs – is the fastest moving category in the brand’s kitty. The brand also owns two men’s footwear private labels, Atesber and Privo. While Atesber caters to the premium leather segment, Privo offers stylish options at accessible price points. Aside from the brand, Inc.5 is entering the accessories space, with 500+ SKUs up for grabs.
Product Development
Inc.5 approaches design and development with a customer-centric mindset, blending fashion-forward aesthetics with comfort and functionality. The process begins with in-depth trend research, market analysis, and customer feedback, which help the brand understand evolving preferences and lifestyle needs.
Their in-house design team then translates these insights into thoughtful collections – ensuring a balance between contemporary design, seasonal trends, and timeless appeal – with a focus on quality materials, precise craftsmanship, and ergonomic fits. Continuous innovation is part of the brand’s DNA as is creating products that are stylish as well as practical.
Inc.5 prioritises durability, comfort, finish, and sustainability when sourcing materials. Each component, from uppers to soles and linings, is carefully chosen to meet performance and aesthetic standards. The brand collaborates with trusted suppliers and conduct rigorous quality checks (lab testing, sample evaluations, and on-ground inspections at our manufacturing facilitie) at every stage—from sourcing to production.
Innovation & Technology
The brand has integrated AI and Machine Learning into its systems to analyze data, predict trends, optimise inventory management as well as personalise experiences. Over the years, the brand has incorporated several innovative elements in its footwear designs including:
- Memory foam and cushioned insoles for enhanced comfort during prolonged wear.
- Lightweight sole constructions using EVA and other advanced materials for better shock absorption.
- Breathable linings to ensure foot hygiene and reduce moisture build-up.
- Ergonomic footbeds designed for arch support and alignment.
- For specific collections, we are also exploring anti-slip technology and flexible sole engineering for better movement and stability.
Technologies which will drive footwear retail in the future per Inc.5 include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
- E-commerce and Omnichannel Retail
- Sustainability Technologies
Retail Strategies
With a target audience primarily including fashion-conscious women and men across age groups who value both style and comfort, Inc.5 stresses on modern retail solutions such as the Endless Aisle, which allows said customers to browse and order from its full product range in-store, even if the items are not physically available at that location.
Inc.5 retails through a combination of both physical stores and online platforms, ensuring accessibility and convenience for customers across different channels. In the offline space, their products are available at standalone stores as well as large-format retailers like Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Central and Centro. Online, they sell through their own D2C website and leading e-commerce platforms such as Myntra, Nykaa, Flipkart, and Amazon.
A robust digital platform, supported by high-quality product imagery, detailed descriptions, and secure payment options, makes for a user-friendly online shopping experience. The e-commerce experience is further enhanced through the use of data analytics to give consumers personalised recommendations based on their preferences. This ensures a more engaging and relevant shopping journey for each customer.
Additionally, the brand has a flexible in-store exchange policy, ensuring a convenient and hassle-free experience for our customers. To strengthen customer retention, Inc.5 has also introduced loyalty programmes that reward repeat purchases as well as curated social content, newsletters, exclusive previews.
Aside from this, Inc.5 focuses on performance marketing, influencer collaborations, seasonal campaigns, and social media storytelling to strengthen brand recall. Targeted campaigns across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google drive awareness and conversions, while offline promotions, coupled with customer engagement events, further enhance visibility.
Challenges
One of the key challenges in the footwear industry is the inconsistency in sizing across different platforms and brands. This often leads to confusion and dissatisfaction among consumers. However, with the introduction of the ‘BHA’, which aims to replace existing UK/US sizing systems with a simplified, standardised approach tailored to the Indian foot, Inc.5 anticipates a significant improvement. The brand is certain this initiative will help resolve sizing discrepancies and ensure a more consistent fit for consumers, regardless of where they shop.
Expansion Plans
Inc.5 is planning an aggressive expansion into Tier II & III cities to tap into the growing demand and increasing brand awareness here. The brand is also concentrating on strengthening its omnichannel presence while offering quality, affordability, and accessibility across all markets.
The brand is also actively exploring international markets, which offer strong growth potential and align well with Inc.5’s value proposition and product offerings.
