The South Extension Tanishq store spans 17,500 square feet, while the Chandni Chowk store covers 6,000 square feet. The new Taneira store, also situated in Chandni Chowk, occupies 2,500 square feet. The openings are part of Titan’s ongoing strategy for aggressive retail expansion across India.

The opening ceremony was led by C K Venkataraman, Managing Director of Titan Company Limited, and included notable guests such as Raghav Chandra and family, Associate Partner, among other distinguished attendees.

“New Delhi represents a crucial market for us, with its blend of tradition and modernity, making it an ideal region for our latest store launches. As we continue to expand our retail footprint, we remain focused on integrating innovative retail formats and superior customer service, ensuring that our brands resonate deeply with our diverse customer base,” C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Limited said.

The new Tanishq stores will offer a wide range of jewellery collections, including Gold, Diamonds, Celeste Solitaire, Rivaah, Enchanted Trails, Tales of Tradition, Aveer, Glam Days, Mia by Tanishq, Dor, Kalai, and the ‘Rivaah X Tarun Tahiliani’ collection. The Chandni Chowk store caters to the district’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant market atmosphere.

Taneira’s new store will serve as a prime destination for wedding shopping, featuring handcrafted and authentic sarees, kurtas, and blouses. The store will showcase a variety of fabrics including Pure Silk, Cotton, Ikat, Kota Doria, Chanderis, Maheshwaris, Banarasis, Tussar, Jamdanis, Kanjivaram, South Silks, Sambalpuri, and Vegan collections.

To celebrate the store openings, Tanishq is offering a launch promotion from 5th to 8th September 2024, where customers can receive a free gold coin with their purchase. Additionally, Taneira is running a ‘Gold Coin Offer’ from 5th to 10th September 2024, providing a 0.2-gram Tanishq gold coin with purchases worth Rs 20,000.

Titan Company Limited, a joint venture between the Tata Group and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), started operations in 1987 as Titan Watches Limited. Titan diversified into jewellery with Tanishq in 1994 and has since expanded into various lifestyle brands including EyeCare, fragrances (SKINN), accessories, Indian dress wear (Taneira), and women’s bags (IRTH). Titan is known for transforming the Indian watch and jewellery industry and shaping the retail market through pioneering experiential retail.

Recode Studios aims to achieve a turnover of Rs 50 crore by the end of the fiscal year. This ambitious target underscores the brand’s robust growth trajectory and successful market penetration. The company plans to increase its retail footprint to a total of 25 stores as part of its strategic expansion.

The Mumbai store reflects Recode Studios’ commitment to enhancing customer experiences and providing access to a diverse range of beauty products. It will feature an extensive selection of cosmetics, catering to both everyday essentials and the unique preferences of beauty enthusiasts.

“We are happy to launch our 18th store in the vibrant city of Mumbai. Our goal has always been to bring high-quality, innovative beauty products to more people, and this new store is a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence. We look forward to welcoming both new and existing customers and continuing to elevate their beauty experiences,” Dheeraj Bansal, Co-Founder, Recode Studios, said.

In addition to the brand’s latest store’s extensive product offerings, it will also host exclusive events and promotions, further engaging with the local community.

Founded in 2018, Recode Studios is a cosmetics brand offering a range of makeup products and is committed to providing extraordinary beauty experiences, and inspiring individuals to express their unique beauty.

The newly opened stores in Dehradun and Gandhinagar bring international brands such as Beverly Hills Polo Club, Bath & Body Works, Aldo, and R&B to these cities. At the Mall of Dehradun, shoppers can explore fashion and lifestyle products from Beverly Hills Polo Club, Bath & Body Works, and Aldo. In Gandhinagar, Swagat Holiday Mall now features the city’s first Beverly Hills Polo Club, Bath & Body Works, and R&B stores.

This move aligns with a broader trend of global brands targeting Tier II markets as key growth opportunities.

“We’re committed to expanding our presence in Tier II cities, capitalizing on the growing market and increased brand awareness. Our focus is on delivering exceptional shopping experiences and building lasting relationships with customers in these regions” said Abhishek Bajpai, CEO, Apparel Group, India.

Apparel Group’s expansion in India reflects its ongoing strategy to introduce international brands to emerging markets. The company envisions these tier II cities as crucial to its next phase of growth.

Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The group operates over 2,200 retail stores and represents more than 85 brands across various platforms, employing over 22,000 staff globally. Apparel Group has a significant presence in the GCC and is expanding into markets in India, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Egypt. The company also plans to enter emerging markets such as Hungary and the Philippines.

Apparel Group’s diverse portfolio includes brands from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia, featuring names such as Tommy Hilfiger, Charles & Keith, Skechers, Victoria’s Secret, ALDO, Nine West, Calvin Klein, Aéropostale, Jamie’s Italian, Tim Hortons, Cold Stone Creamery, Bath & Body Works, Inglot, and Rituals.

“At Metro Brands Ltd, our vision is to introduce the finest global brands to India and fulfill our customers’ complete athleisure wardrobe needs. This partnership marks a major milestone in that journey,” Nissan Joseph, CEO, Metro Brands Limited said.

“It will allow us to revolutionise the cap market, elevate the retail experience, and address the evolving preferences of our customers. We are confident that, through this collaboration, caps are going to be the next statement accessory to watch out for,” Joseph added.

Under the agreement, MBL gains exclusive rights for the distribution and sale of New Era products, including headwear, apparel, and accessories. This includes retail stores, shopping kiosks, and online sales through MBL’s platforms, New Era’s sites, and other online marketplaces. New Era products will also be available in upcoming Foot Locker stores in India.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Metro Brands to create a robust growth plan for both headwear and apparel in India. Metro Brands has a deep understanding of the Indian consumer coupled with their expertise in retail and distribution,” Paul Gils, VP, New Era said.

New Era is renowned for its iconic headwear, including the 59FIFTY fitted cap, 9FIFTY snapback, and 9FORTY adjustable cap. The Indian headwear market, which has seen growth through e-commerce, presents a significant opportunity for retail expansion, as Metro Brands aims to integrate sports culture into the cap industry.

Metro Brands, with over 800 stores in India and plans to open its first Foot Locker store in the country, includes brands like Metro Shoes, Mochi, Crocs, FitFlop, and Fila within its portfolio.

Founded in 1920, New Era is a leading headwear brand known for its sports-related caps and accessories. Headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., the company offers a wide range of products including apparel and accessories, with over 500 licenses in various industries such as sports, fashion, music, and entertainment. New Era’s products are available in more than 80 countries.

Metro Brands Limited is a major Indian retailer specialising in footwear. Established in 1955 with its first store in Mumbai, Metro Brands offers a comprehensive range of footwear for men, women, and children, as well as handbags, belts, and wallets. The company operates under several in-house brands including Metro, Mochi, Walkway, Da Vinchi, and J. Fontini, and features third-party brands like Crocs, FitFlop, Fila, Skechers, Clarks, Puma, and Adidas. As of March 31, 2024, Metro Brands has 836 stores across 193 cities in India.

In each installment, we unravel the layers of innovation, dedication, and conscious decision-making that define the leadership of these brands. From reimagining supply chains to championing eco-friendly materials, these trailblazers exemplify a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and ethical fashion landscape.

This week, IMAGES Business of Fashion explores sustainability initiatives by H&M, unveiling their innovative strides in reshaping the fashion industry.

Hennes & Mauritz AB or H&M Group (abbreviated H&M) is a multinational clothing company based in Sweden that focuses on fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers, and children.

As of 23 June 2022, H&M Group operates in:

• 75 geographical markets
• 4,801 stores under various company brands
• 107,375 full-time equivalent positions.

Founded by Erling Persson in 1947, H&M is the second largest international clothing retailer, behind Inditex. The H&M group includes eight clearly defined brands – H&M, COS, Monki, Weekday, & Other Stories, Cheap Monday, H&M Home and ARKET. Together the brands offer customers a wealth of styles and trends in fashion, beauty, accessories, and homewares – as well as experiences that now also include modern, healthy food.

India Presence

H&M opened its first store in India in 2015 and in a little over 7 years has expanded their retail footprint considerably. The brand recently announced the launch of 50th store in Bhubaneswar.

Today, it operates stores across 25 cities that include all the leading metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore as well as other key cities such as Dehradun, Kochi, Bhopal, Jalandhar, Pune, Amritsar, Indore, Coimbatore, Mohali, Mysore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Raipur.

The leading retailer in India today, H&M complements its offline presence with a strong online channel. H&M launched their own online platform, hm.com, in March 2018 followed by the launch on Myntra.com in August 2019 with an aim to strengthen their omnichannel strategy of extending a seamless shopping experience both online and offline.

Retail Journey

The company was founded by Erling Persson in 1947 when he opened his first shop in Västerås, Sweden. The shop, called Hennes (Swedish for ‘hers’), exclusively sold women’s clothing. A second store was launched in Norway in 1964.

In 1968, Persson acquired the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss in Stockholm, which led to the inclusion of a menswear collection in the product range, and the name was changed to Hennes & Mauritz.

The company was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1974 and in 1976, the first store outside Scandinavia opened in London. H&M continued to expand in Europe and began to retail online in 1998, with the domain hm.com registered in 1997, according to data available via Whois. The first H&M store opened in USA on March 31, 2000, marking the expansion outside Europe.

In 2008, the company announced in a press release that it would begin selling home furnishings. While initially distributed online, the home furnishing items are now sold at H&M Home stores worldwide. Concept stores, including COS, Weekday, Monki, and Cheap Monday, were launched following H&M’s expansion in Asia.

In 2009 and 2010, brand consultancy Interbrand ranked H&M as the twenty-first most-valuable global brand. Its worth was estimated at $12 billion to $16 billion.

H&M operated 2,325 stores at the end of 2011. At the end of August 2012, H&M was operating 304 more stores, bringing the total to 2,629.In September 2013, the retailer opened its 3000th store in Chengdu, China.

Caring for both people and the planet is important at H&M. Starting in February 2013, H&M began offering patrons a voucher in exchange for used garments. Donated garments were to be processed by I:CO, a retailer that repurposes and recycles used clothing with the goal of creating a zero waste economy.

Caring for both people and the planet is important at H&M. Starting in February 2013, H&M began offering patrons a voucher in exchange for used garments. Donated garments were to be processed by I:CO, a retailer that repurposes and recycles used clothing with the goal of creating a zero waste economy.

In April 2014, H&M joined Zara and other apparel companies in changing their supply chain to avoid endangered forests. The company teamed with Canopy, a nonprofit, to remove endangered and ancient forests from their dissolvable pulp supply chain for their viscose and rayon fabrics.

The Approach

Improving the sustainability performance of the value chain also improves the resilience of the business operations. The brand amplifies the positive impact by forming partnerships, participating in dialogue, and sharing progress and learnings. The focus is on three areas:

Innovation: The Circular Innovation Lab supports early-stage innovations to evaluate new and more sustainable materials and technologies, bridging the gap from proof-of-concept projects to pre-commercial projects all the way to commercial production.

• The B2B service Treadler gives other fashion companies access to H&M Group’s supply chain, hence removing the barriers to sustainable sourcing.
• H&M uses innovative business models to offer customers easier access to more sustainable lifestyles.

Transparency: Transparency prompts change by:

• Empowering informed choices- Giving customers information on product and business sustainability so they can make informed decisions aligned with their values.
• Accelerating sustainable change- Increasing transparency and traceability across the value chain to give us greater oversight and control of the impacts.

Sustainability Highlights for 2021

• 22% absolute reduction in scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions and 9% absolute reduction in scope 3 CO2e emissions, compared with 2019 baseline — contributing to the target to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 56% by 2030.
• Tripled the share of recycled materials used in the garments from 5.8% to 17.9%.
• 27.8% reduction in plastic packaging.
• 23,253 employees received the Layers inclusion and diversity training.

H&M reduced production water use by 6.6% compared to last year and also continued the work with WWF to set context specific (contextual) water targets and to develop the new 2030 Water Strategy.

• From January 1, 2022, H&M will not to onboard any new suppliers or supplier factories into the supply chain if they have on-site coal boilers in their factories — as part of a longer-term aim to phaseout coal from the supply chain.
• By 2030, achieve a 25% reduction in electricity intensity in the stores, from a 2016 baseline.
• By 2030, source 100% renewable electricity in the own operations.
• By 2030, the electricity sourced in the supply chain will be 100% renewable.
• By 2025, source 30% recycled materials.
• Carbon removals: The brand aims to find nature-based and engineered solutions for removing GHGs from the atmosphere. Future investments in carbon removals will primarily serve to neutralise the residual emissions in order to achieve net-zero value chain emissions.

H&M’s Climate Positive Approach

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a foundation for healthy ecosystems and communities. The virgin natural materials in H&M’s products depend upon fertile soil and healthy forests.

H&M is developing targets and actions to support this ambition, in line with the ARRRT (Avoid, Reduce, Restore & Regenerate, Transform) framework. The work on biodiversity has strong links with the existing goals and activities on climate, water, materials, circularity and resource use, and chemicals. It is working to source more materials farmed with regenerative practices. These practices aim to improve environmental wellbeing by increasing soil fertility, biodiversity, soil carbon sequestration, water retention and cleanliness, while contributing to community resilience and livelihoods.

Circular Ecosystem

In 2021, H&M took meaningful steps towards becoming more circular — although the brand knows there is still much work ahead.

The brand tripled the volume of recycled materials used in the garments and confirmed the ambition for all the products to be designed for circularity by 2025 — supported by the new circular design tool Circulator.

H&M launched a blueprint for a circular fashion industry within planetary boundaries, the product of a three-year research project by the Stockholm Resilience Centre together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, funded by H&M Group.

Optimising Resource Use

Today, offcuts and scraps generated in the production process or during product delivery are considered waste. H&M’s vision is that the whole mindset of the fashion industry shifts to treat this waste as the valuable resource it is. Similarly, faulty clothes or pre-loved items that have reached the end of their time with the customers offer a wealth of materials that can be recovered, reused and eventually recycled into new products.

To proactively optimise resource use, H&M:

• Optimises supply to produce to demand. The brand increasingly applies predictive artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise the supply chain and match production with demand. They use multiple solutions for quick reactions to fashion trends, quantification, timing and allocation of products. This has led to even more relevant customer offering with more full price sales and fewer markdowns, as well as a more efficient use of resources.
• Support Resource-Efficient Production: H&M works closely together with suppliers to use resources as efficiently as possible, guided by the Responsible Waste Management Guidelines.
• Puts faulty products to good use: If a product is faulty, H&M reuses or recycles the materials wherever possible.
• Increases recycling: The brand works to improve and scale automatic sorting and efficient textile recycling. It also works to optimise resource use at the stores, distribution centres and offices, during product delivery, and by maximising product life.

Design

H&M aims to design all the products for circularity by 2025. Circular design is an important enabler for circular business models and is a crucial part of reducing resource use, which helps to meet the climate and biodiversity goals. The teams use tools such as Material Categorisation to inform the selection of materials.

The majority of the H&M’s brands began testing the Circulator prototype, which was publicly launched in November 2021. The tool supports teams to measure the circular potential of products, providing a circular product score that considers the materials and design strategies chosen in relation to a product’s purpose.

Environmental Impact

Progress: Overall

• To reduce the environmental impact, H&M aims for 100% of the materials to be either recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way by 2030, including 30% recycled materials by 2025.
• Achieved 80.0% recycled or other more sustainably sourced materials, including tripling the share of recycled materials to 17.9% (largely due to increased volumes of recycled cotton and polyester), making good progress towards the 2030 goal.
• Established a new internal Material organisation to accelerate the sustainable materials strategy. The organisation will work closely with the assortments teams to scale up innovations and sustainable material sourcing across H&M Group.

Progress: Cotton

In 2020, H&M successfully achieved the goal to source 100% more sustainably sourced cotton (recycled, organic and other more sustainably sourced cotton).

In 2021, the sourcing of other more sustainably sourced cotton contributed to:

• 30 billion gallons of water being saved.
• 73,287 kilograms of pesticides being avoided.
• USD 59 million additional profit for farmers.

Progress: Wood & Man-made Cellulosic (MMC) Fibers

By end of 2025, source responsible viscose in line with the commitment to the changing markets roadmap.

By end of 2025, all wood and paper used in the H&M’s products and packaging will be made of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or recycled materials.

By end of 2025, H&M to source MMC fibers from FSC-certified sources or replace them with next-generation fibers from sources such as agricultural residues and pre- and post-consumer textiles.

H&M Group’s Circular Innovation Lab have worked with SPINNOVA® and the first products using their low impact recyclable fiber made of certified wood will be launched in spring 2022. 78% wood in the packaging is FSC-certified.

Signed the Fashion Forever Green Pact, an FSC initiative to promote responsible sourcing of MMC fibers. TreeToTextile, part-owned by the H&M group, continued upscaling production of its low cost, 100% traceable cellulosic fiber, sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Progress: Leather

50.7% (44% in 2020) of all leather products were produced with chrome-free tanned leather, including vegetable tanned leather and metalfree leather. By end of 2025, H&M aims animal-based leather to be chrome-free.

H&M maintained the search for bio-based leather alternatives and used Desserto, a leather alternative partly made from cactus.

Progress: Recycled & Innovative Materials

63.7% of the polyester is from recycled sources (according to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index), which have a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional sources.

H&M has set a new goal to phase out virgin polyester and source 100% recycled polyester by 2025, in support of Textile Exchange’s Recycled Polyester Challenge.

Material Matters the Most

To accelerate the development of recycling technologies and use of more sustainable materials in Europe, the brand continued to engage in the European Union projects DEMETO,1 EFFECTIVE and New Cotton. H&M also increased the usage of innovative materials, including:

Fairbrics: The Circular Innovation Lab made the first garment using this potentially climate positive technology, which was worn by the CEO, Helena Helmersson at the Fashion CEO Agenda 2021. Fairbrics is a Global Change Award winner.

FLWRDWN: Down-alternative made using hand-picked wildflowers and recycled biological materials, used by COS and H&M.

Liva Reviva: Viscose fiber made from preconsumer textile waste and wood pulp, used by H&M HOME and Monki. In addition, & Other Stories and COS used Livaeco — made fromfully traceable FSC certified fibers.

Naia Renew: Fiber from sustainably sourced wood pulp and recycled waste plastics, used by ARKET and COS.

Packaging

To prevent damage and waste, H&M products must be protected as they travel between suppliers, distribution centres, stores and customers. The brand is committed to reducing the impact of its packaging as part of its focus on reducing resource use.

Guided by its Circular Packaging Strategy, H&M focuses on addressing priority areas first where greatest impact can be achieved – like reducing unnecessary and problematic packaging, including plastic packaging.

• Reduce packaging across our value chain 25% by 2025 (2018 baseline), including an absolute reduction in plastic packaging of 25% by 2025 (2018 baseline).
• Design 100% of packaging to be reusable and/or recyclable by 2025.
• Make 100% of packaging from recycled or other more sustainably sourced materials by 2030, with a preference for post-consumer recycled materials.
• Reuse or recycle 100% of packaging waste from its own sites by 2025.

Balancing Act: High Streets vs. Malls
Akhil Jain, says that at the helm of Madame’s strategic decisions is, “providing an exceptional in-store experience is a priority, regardless of location”. This philosophy underlines Madame’s commitment to customer experience, a thread woven through every high street and mall where the brand leaves its mark.

Navigating the intricacies of high streets, Jain acknowledges their operational efficiency and personalized shopping experience. However, he doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges, especially in India, where external factors like broken footpaths and parking chaos pose hurdles. To overcome these challenges, Jain affirms, “Brands must invest extra effort in creating a seamless transition from the outside world to the store’s ambiance.”

In contrast, shopping malls provide Madame with a controlled environment to showcase its offerings. Jain sheds light on the strategic focus within malls, stating, “The USP for stores in malls is to create a welcoming and attractive interior that draws customers in.” This focus on differentiation becomes crucial in the mall landscape where choices abound.”

He encapsulates the brand’s strategy succinctly saying, “Fashion brands need to navigate these differences to create a seamless and captivating shopping experience for customers, whether on a bustling high street or within the curated environment of a mall. Balancing exclusivity with accessibility is crucial.”

Strategic Mix: A Pan-India Presence
As we delve deeper into Madame’s retail footprint, Jain provides insights into the brand’s meticulous distribution. “Our stores are located pan India. High streets provide excellent visibility and an opportunity to connect with the local community. Malls, on the other hand, attract a specific demographic seeking a curated shopping experience.”

“This balanced mix isn’t arbitrary; it aligns with Madame’s brand identity and caters to the diverse preferences of its target audience,” he adds.

Prime real estate becomes a cornerstone of Madame’s high street strategy. “In areas where prime real estate is accessible, high street stores may benefit from strategic locations, drawing in foot traffic and contributing to a positive brand image. This strategic positioning is a testament to Madame’s commitment to visibility and accessibility.”

Collaborations with renowned mall developers also play a pivotal role in shaping Madame’s preferences. “The availability of good quality real estate and collaborations with renowned mall developers significantly influence retail preferences,” articulates Jain, further explaining that these collaborations open doors to well-designed, high-traffic spaces within malls, allowing Madame to enhance its image and attract a broader customer base.

“In short, the availability of good quality real estate and collaborations with renowned mall developers, besides other factors, play a pivotal role in shaping our preferences by influencing the visibility, accessibility, and overall appeal of stores in both high street and mall settings,” he says, encapsulating the strategic essence of Madame’s retail approach.

Cost Considerations & Target Demographics
In the intricate tapestry of Madame’s decision-making, cost considerations emerge as a signiȃ cant thread. “High streets oǹ er cost advantages with lower maintenance, but malls can justify expenses through higher foot traffic and a potential for increased sales,” Jain concisely states. This delicate balance between costs and potential returns is a testament to Madame’s financial acumen.

In this scenario, understanding the heartbeat of Madame’s target audience also becomes crucial. Jain says that understanding the demographics determines the in-store experience, product selection, staff engagement, and overall ambiance of our stores. “Our commitment to resonating with the lifestyle and preferences of our customers is echoed in every decision, ensuring a tailored retail experience,” says Jain.

He says a nuanced approach is important. “So, the cost considerations differ as per demographics too and that is why Madame has an adaptive strategy based on the diverse characteristics of our customer base.”

Envisioning the Future: Adaptability is Key
Shifting focus to Madame’s future trajectory, Jain envisions a strategic blend of physical and online presence. “High streets remain essential for brand visibility and connecting with local communities, while malls offer a platform for reaching a broader audience, providing a unique shopping experience,” he asserts, outlining his brand’s omnichannel approach.

Ideal store openings, according to him, involve a meticulous consideration of urban centers for brand visibility, tech-savvy areas for digital engagement, and emerging markets to capture evolving consumer preferences. “The key is adaptability and staying attuned to the ever-changing retail dynamics,” he notes, reflecting Madame’s commitment to staying ahead in the dynamic landscape of the fashion industry.

He eloquently expresses Madame’s approach, saying, “Envisioning the future for Indian fashion brands involves a strategic blend of physical and online presence. While high streets and malls will continue to be significant, the rise of online retail necessitates a robust omnichannel approach.”

Conclusion: Madame’s Retail Symphony
As IMAGES Business of Fashion concludes its conversation with Jain, the orchestrator of Madame’s retail symphony, the brand emerges not just as a fashion powerhouse but as a strategic player navigating the complexities of high streets, malls, and the digital realm. Every quote from him echoes a commitment to providing a seamless and captivating shopping experience, reflecting the brand’s understanding of the delicate balance between exclusivity and accessibility in the world of fashion.

Madame’s journey, as narrated by Akhil Jain, is a blueprint for fashion brands navigating the intricate threads of retail, where every decision is a note in the symphony of strategic brilliance. In the symphony of the brand’s retail journey, the crescendo is not just the sale of fashion; it’s the harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and a customer-centric ethos that resonates through each elegantly curated store.

The store’s design features a refreshed brand identity, boasting an all-white interior adorned with the iconic colors of the brand, along with a blend of wood, metal, and concrete details. The special wall within the store captures the essence of polo, presenting a classic and cool ambiance. The modern and sporty décor, coupled with an authentic connection to the sport, provides shoppers with an immersive shopping experience.

“We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our U.S. Polo Assn. store in the vibrant and picturesque land of Goa, a momentous milestone for our brand. What adds immeasurable joy to this event is the presence of over 100 passionate team members of our U.S. Polo Assn. family who have flown down from Bangalore to Goa to be a part of this historic moment,” Amitabh Suri, CEO of U.S. Polo Assn. – Arvind Fashions Limited said.

“The U.S. Polo Assn. brand store on M.G. Road carries the brand’s product offerings in the form of USPA Mainline, USPA Sport, Denim & Co., Footwear, Accessories & Innerwear,” Suri added.

The featured collection includes timeless favorites such as polo shirts, denims, oxfords, sweaters, jackets, and t-shirts, emphasizing the brand’s cool, authentic, and sporty elements while keeping fashion and style at the forefront. The store launch marks a strategic move in the brand’s growth strategy, focusing on brick-and-mortar, Omni-channel, and e-commerce, as well as overall brand marketing through storytelling.

U.S. Polo Assn. currently boasts a retail footprint in India with over 400 brand stores and more than 2000 shop-in-shops across 200 cities. As the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States, U.S. Polo Assn. holds a multi-billion-dollar global footprint with distribution in over 190 countries through retail stores, department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce.

Arvind Fashions Ltd is a lifestyle powerhouse with a strong portfolio of fashion brands catering to consumers across sub-categories and price points. With a host of renowned brands, both international and indigenous, like U.S. Polo Assn., Arrow, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Flying Machine, it has a presence across lifestyle brands and prestige beauty.

The collection, a testament to Tarun Tahiliani’s distinctive style, seamlessly marries traditional aesthetics with contemporary design. It features comfortable fits created from luxurious silk blends, skin-friendly cotton viscose, and woven jacquards, providing both style and comfort. The wedding and festive attire range encompasses breezy kurta sets, impeccably tailored sherwanis & achkans, and versatile Indo-western ensembles. Complementing the ensembles are a wide array of accessories, including safas, sarpeches, brooches, pocket squares, buttons, sehras, stoles, shawls, and footwear.

The store’s design and decor reflect Tarun Tahiliani’s ‘Modern Indian’ design philosophy and cater to the evolving tastes of Indian consumers. Luxurious materials such as wood and brass, along with designs inspired by India’s cultural heritage, create an ambiance that aligns with Tasva‘s brand philosophy.

Harshvardhan Rane, expressing his sentiments, said, “Patna is known for its discerning audience, and to have earned a place in the hearts of Patna’s people is truly an honor. Today it’s a privilege to witness the fusion of traditional elegance and contemporary style right here in Patna.”

Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer of Tasva, commented on the store’s launch, stating, “It’s an honor to bring our vision to life with the grand opening of our store in Patna’s Boring Road. Patna is a city steeped in tradition, yet gracefully keeping pace with modernity. Tasva is here to redefine groom’s fashion and be a part of Patna’s evolving story.”

Ashish Mukul, Brand Head of Tasva, shared his thoughts, saying, “At Tasva, we’re strategically expanding our retail footprint, and the grand opening of our flagship store at Patna’s Boring Road is a major milestone in this direction. Patna holds a pivotal place in our growth strategy, as we recognize its significance as a thriving market with a strong cultural heritage and an evolving taste for modern groom’s fashion.”

With the addition of these new outlets, Biba now boasts a tally of 24 stores within Gujarat, reaffirming its commitment to providing customers with convenient access to its latest collections and unparalleled shopping experiences.

Flagship Stores in Vadodara and Rajkot

The flagship store in Rajkot spans across an area of 2500 square feet and is located on Yagnik Road. Meanwhile, Vadodara’s flagship store covers over 2800 square feet and can be found on Racecourse Road. These stores feature an experiential format with dedicated sections that showcase Biba’s new retail identity.

What sets these flagship stores apart is the exclusive presence of designer Rohit Bal’s exquisite collection. Customers can indulge in high-fashion creations by one of the industry’s most celebrated designers.

Debut Stores in Navsari and Bardoli

Biba’s debut stores in Navsari and Bardoli are strategically located in prominent shopping districts. The Navsari store, situated on Gandevi Road, boasts an area of 2200 square feet, while the Bardoli store is located at Callista Mall, Baben, covering a carpet area of 1700 square feet. Both stores offer spacious layouts, elegant interiors, and vibrant atmospheres that reflect the essence of BIBA’s brand ethos.

These new additions to the Biba family serve as windows to the latest fashion trends, catering to the needs of modern consumers who aspire to express their distinct personalities for various occasions. The stores offer an extensive range of apparel, including suit sets, mix and match options, Ready-to-Stitch fabrics, and kids’ wear under Biba Girls, appealing to a wide spectrum of individual tastes.

Moreover, customers can explore an impressive selection of accessories, including jewelry, footwear, handbags, and perfumes, perfectly complementing their ensemble choices. With its rich variety of designs, high-quality fabrics, and meticulous craftsmanship, Biba aims to provide a seamless and delightful shopping experience under one roof.

A Word from Mr. Siddharath Bindra, Managing Director of Biba

Commenting on the expansion, Mr. Siddharath Bindra, Managing Director of Biba, expressed his excitement, saying, “We are extremely excited about expanding our presence in Gujarat and launching our flagship stores in Vadodara and Rajkot, alongside debuting stores in Navsari and Bardoli. The positive response we’ve received for our effortlessly stylish collection in Gujarat has been a significant motivation for us to open these new stores. Our objective is to address a wide range of Indian clothing needs for women, including casual wear, occasion wear, and office wear.”

Store Specs

• The store spans 3 floors
• The showroom measures 10,000 sq ft area
• Store Address: Neeru’s, Main road, Vasantalipuram, Beside Karachi Bakery, Hyderabad

Premium Ethnicwear

The ethnicwear major, which was established in 1971, is all set to welcome the festive season with its wide assortment of ensemble and attire to choose from. The highlight of the store – premium ethnicwear clothes that are moderately priced.

With this store, Neeru’s brings the wide range of options for women in ethnicwear – from bridal wear to sarees, silks, ready-to-wear, mix-n-match, unstitched suits, lehengas, tunics and more.

Silk is no longer relegated to traditional mulberry silk, and numerous varieties are available and Neeru’s has ensured that it is well stocked with intricately designed and embroidered silk sarees such as Kanjeevaram, Dharmavaram, Uppada, Pochampally, Gadwal and Banrasi brocade silk sarees. Aside from this, lehengas, tunics and suits are also available.

All products reflect a certain standard of tradition and class, grace and sophistication.