RETAIL REVIVAL
India’s Apparel Sector Strides Back to Growth with Aggressive Expansions & Purpose-Led Strategies
THE COMEBACK THREAD
Trent, UNIQLO, and V-Mart Lead a New Era of Fashion Retailing in India
After seasons of flux, India’s apparel retail sector is showing signs of a powerful rebound. With rising consumer confidence, store expansions, and value-driven offerings, the country’s top fashion retailers are threading growth into every seam of their strategy. At the forefront of this resurgence are three names making waves: Trent, UNIQLO, and V-Mart Retail. Their recent performances reveal more than just numbers—they signal a sector reinventing itself for scale, speed, and social relevance.
TRENT: A TATA POWERHOUSE HITS 1,000+ STORE MILESTONE
Westside and Zudio chart new territory
Tata-backed Trent Ltd. is celebrating a major milestone—crossing a portfolio of over 1,000 large-format fashion stores, a network comprising 248 Westside and 757 Zudio outlets. The news not only energized Trent’s loyal investors—pushing its stock up by 5.8% intraday—but also reaffirmed its status as a market leader in mass and premium fashion.
The numbers speak volumes: 100 million+ customers served across 230 cities, with consistent new launches like its 245th Westside store in Lucknow. For Trent, retail isn’t just about square footage—it’s about cultural relevance and nationwide reach.
UNIQLO: JAPANESE SIMPLICITY, INDIAN SOUL
15 stores, countless impressions—and a big dream
When UNIQLO entered India in late 2019, it brought more than just global fashion—it introduced LifeWear: minimalist, high-quality, functional clothing rooted in Japanese values. Five years later, the brand’s presence has quietly but confidently grown, boasting 15 stores, strong e-commerce traction, and a firm grip on India’s evolving urban wardrobe.
“We aim to be the No. 1 apparel brand in India—and we’re building that ambition on quality, accessibility, and social impact,”
—Kenji Inoue, CFO & COO, UNIQLO India
UNIQLO’s India playbook includes local collaborations, like the much-loved Kurta Collection with designer Rina Singh, and youth-centric campaigns like the UTme! India Art Project, blending fashion with Indian creativity.
But what truly sets the brand apart is its vocational training center in Delhi, in partnership with Plan International, aimed at empowering 2,700 underprivileged youth by 2027. A shining example of fashion with purpose.
V-MART: THE VALUE RETAILER WINNING SMALL-TOWN HEARTS
Affordability meets adaptability
While premium brands set their sights on metros, V-Mart continues to own the affordable fashion space in India’s heartland. Its Q4 FY25 results tell a compelling story:
- 17% YoY revenue growth,
- Rs 780 crore in quarterly revenue,
- 11% full-year same-store sales growth, and
- An expanded footprint of 497 stores.
The retail chain opened 62 new outlets this fiscal year alone, with strategic entries into Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu. Despite Limeroad—its digital acquisition—posting subdued numbers, V-Mart’s core retail business is thriving.
“Our expansion into new states reflects both demand and our belief in India’s untapped fashion potential,”
—V-Mart Senior Executive
A SECTOR WITH PURPOSE, SCALE & SPEED
India’s apparel retail scene isn’t just bouncing back—it’s transforming. What binds Trent, UNIQLO, and V-Mart together is a vision that goes beyond fashion. Whether it’s UNIQLO’s community-led social impact, Trent’s city-wide customer reach, or V-Mart’s rural and semi-urban domination, each brand is scripting a unique success story.
With aggressive brick-and-mortar expansions, digitally integrated strategies, and a rising focus on sustainability and inclusivity, fashion retail in India is no longer just about trends—it’s about transformation.
And as this new era unfolds, the runway is wide open—for growth, for impact, and for a new retail revolution.
OTHER RETAILERS TO WATCH
Reliance Retail, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail (ABFRL), and Shoppers Stop are also moving strategically:
- Reliance Retail is turbocharging its AZORTE, Yousta, and Trends formats while strengthening its backend with JioMart, warehousing infrastructure, and aggressive talent acquisition from global fashion houses.
- ABFRL is scaling its Pantaloons, StyleUp, and premium portfolio including Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Sabyasachi. It’s also investing in sustainability through Circular Design Labs and partnering with digital-native brands.
- Shoppers Stop is shifting towards a beauty and luxury retail strategy, opening SSBeauty stores and revamping its loyalty programs to drive premium customer retention.