Founded in 2021 by Sudip Ghose, Uppercase is a homegrown luggage brand with a design-first and eco-conscious philosophy. With over 22 years of leadership experience, Ghose envisioned a label that re-imagines travel for a new generation of explorers. Officially entering general trade in 2023, Uppercase has quickly established itself with a versatile portfolio spanning hard luggage, backpacks, duffel bags, and office satchels. Its ‘Bullet Hard’ luggage line made history as the first Indian brand in nearly seven decades to win the Red Dot Award. Sustainability remains central, with initiatives that have already recycled 54.79 lakh plastic bottles, saved 436,193 Kg of CO2 emissions, and conserved 96,448 litres of oil.
In a rapid-fire exchange, Sudip Ghose, Founder & Managing Director, Uppercase, outlines the evolving trends and roadblocks shaping the future of travel gear in India.
Which consumer segment is driving the most growth in this category?
Among travel gear, backpacks are currently driving the fastest growth. The Indian backpack market was valued at about $1.05 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach US$2.44 billion by 2034. Their dual use for daily life and travel makes them highly versatile. Suitcases remain the largest segment, growing at around 6–7% CAGR as travel volumes rise across metros and Tier-2 cities.
During the holiday season, we see strong traction across both bags and travel accessories, but backpacks tend to lead the way as popular gifting choices. At the same time, small travel accessories, like pouches, organisers, sling bags gear gain momentum as add-on purchases, complementing larger luggage buys.
How is Uppercase redefining travel gear as a style and fashion statement in India and on the global stage?
At Uppercase, our goal is to design products that rise above the clutter, distinctive, purposeful, and crafted to stand out. After creating waves at New York Fashion Week, we are now set to debut our latest collection at Paris Fashion Week 2025, the first time an Indian travel accessory brand will participate in the prestigious Accessories Showcase. Through this global presence, Uppercase is redefining luggage and travel gear as an expression of personality and style, not just utility. By experimenting with colours, patterns, and innovative designs, we are helping Indian consumers and the world see that travel gear can make a fashion statement while staying aligned with responsible, sustainable practices.
Are Indian consumers becoming more experimental with travel-friendly styles?
Yes, younger Indian consumers are increasingly experimental with their travel gear and are looking for colours and prints that reflect their personality and occasion of travel. International colour influences such as bold greens, prints, and textured finishes are also shaping preferences. Trends show Gen Z adopting more organisation friendly luggage, with more compartments and organisers to segregate and pack clothes faster. With travel booming, youth today are choosing luggage that offers convenience and yet acts as style accessory that complements both airport and holiday looks.
Are you seeing higher demand for versatile, easy-to-style pieces that work across destinations?
Yes, we’re seeing a clear shift toward versatile, easy-to-style travel accessories, pieces that seamlessly adapt across destinations and occasions. Consumers are gravitating toward multi-functional bags, compact organisers, and modular add-ons that balance utility with style. The focus is on functional elegance, travel gear that looks good, works everywhere, and reduces the need for multiple items.
Which channel—offline stores, travel retail, e-commerce, or marketplaces—are driving your sales?
We are witnessing growth across all channels, our own D2C website, leading e-commerce portals, and offline avenues such as institutional sales, while also expanding Uppercase’s retail footprint.
How important are gift purchases (accessories, travel essentials) during this period?
They are extremely important for they not only drive incremental sales but also introduce new customers to the brand. Many shoppers look at accessories and travel essentials as thoughtful, functional gifts, making them a popular choice during wedding and holiday seasons. In addition, gifting helps build brand visibility and recall, since recipients often become future customers themselves, creating a strong multiplier effect for growth.
What innovations are you bringing to this category?
At Uppercase, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our journey has been about redefining travel gear as a fashion category, and we are proud to be making a global statement as a ‘Make in India’ brand. Every product we launch is thoughtfully designed to meet GRS and RCS certifications, ensuring that our innovations are responsible, durable, and future-forward. Our approach goes beyond functionality. We continuously experiment with bold styles, colours, and patterns that break away from the mundane, giving consumers travel gear that is both practical and fashion-forward.
This global presence underscores our ambition to set trends internationally while staying true to eco-friendly principles. Through these initiatives, Uppercase is not just creating bags and accessories but is also innovating a category, inspiring a new generation of conscious consumers, and proving that sustainability and style can coexist on a global stage.
Are you noticing more digital-first shopping journeys, with consumers curating their ‘holiday wardrobes’ online?
We are seeing a clear rise in digital-first shopping journeys. Today, consumers aren’t just browsing online for inspiration; they’re actively curating their holiday wardrobes through wishlists, saved carts, and digital lookbooks. The decision-making is increasingly happening in the digital space, with many completing the purchase online or using stores as touchpoints for trial and pickup.
How do you see this segment growing in the next 2–3 years?
The travel lifestyle market in India is poised for robust expansion in the near term. Suitcases are expected to maintain steady growth at approximately 6.9% CAGR, increasing from US$3.68 billion in 2024 to US$5.50 billion by 2030. Backpacks remain the clear growth engine, advancing from US$1.06 billion in 2024 to potentially over US$5 billion by 2035, reflecting a high-teen CAGR. The broader luggage and bags space continues to offer strong growth opportunities, expanding at a 14.4% CAGR through 2030. Growth will be fuelled by rising trip frequency, earlier festive-season planning, and elevated consumer expectations for travel gear that blends functionality, style, and sustainability.
