Having experienced explosive growth during the pandemic, India’s Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands are now aggressively expanding their physical footprint, driving a significant shift in the country's retail real estate market.

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The share of retail leasing accounted for by these new-age brands nearly doubled, jumping from just 8 per cent in H1 2024 to 18 per cent in H1 2025, according to a recent CBRE report.

This growth is fueled by D2C companies leveraging flagship stores, franchise outlets, and pop-ups as they realize the crucial role of an omnichannel strategy.

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The move offline is overwhelmingly led by the clothing sector. Fashion and apparel brands accounted for nearly 60 per cent of all D2C retail leasing in H1 2025. They were followed by:

Homeware and Furnishings at 12 per cent, Jewelry: 12 per cent and Health and Personal Care at 6 percent.

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Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, CBRE India, notes, while online shopping continues its growth, physical purchases still represent the majority of transactions.

Unlike a standardized online experience, a physical store allows brands to create a tailored shopping environment that helps them connect deeply with their target audience and reinforce their ethos, he adds.

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Besides diversifying channels, D2C brands are also diversifying locations. In H1 2025, nearly half of their leasing activity took place outside of traditional mall settings.

The largest share awas occupied by high streets at 46 per cent. This was followed by malls at 40 per cent with standalone outlets making up for the remaining 14 per cent.

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This mixed-format approach - utilizing everything from showrooms to pop-ups- reflects a flexible strategy aimed at maximum visibility.

Geographically, Delhi-NCR led the way, accounting for the highest share of D2C leasing at 26 per cent, followed closely by Bengaluru (22 per cent) and Hyderabad (18 per cent).

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Ram Chandnani, Managing Director-Leasing Services, CBRE India, highlights the dual benefit of this strategy. He opines, offline presence helps brands tap into traditional customer bases, enhances trust and credibility, and allows for deeper penetration into lower-tier towns.

This dual play of digital reach and offline experience is set to define the next chapter of India’s retail growth, he concludes.

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Indian menswear label Asuka Couture has released its latest collection, ‘Loomsongs: Embroidered Linen.’ The collection features embroidered linen pieces designed for men who value soft textures, craftsmanship, and a poetic touch in their style. It offers a fresh take on elevated everyday dressing.

The ‘Loomsongs’ collection reinforces the brand’s commitment to combining Indian craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes, redefining quiet luxury for the modern man. Each piece is made from premium linen sourced from India and Italy and tailored using German and Japanese techniques. The designs feature light textures, earthy tones, and nature-inspired embroidery that evokes the sound of rustling leaves, wind, and birdsong.

Piyush Mohnani, Founder and Creative Director, Asuka Couture describes the collection as being about ‘ease and depth.’ He adds,  it’s a reminder that true luxury doesn’t shout - it flows, moves, and lingers like a song.’

‘Loomsongs’ is designed for warm-weather events like weddings and daytime celebrations. The collection embodies Asuka Couture’s core philosophy, where each garment tells a story of heritage reimagined for today.

The collection is available at Asuka Couture’s flagship stores in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Dubai, as well as online through Pernia’s Pop-Up, AZA, and Ajio Luxe.

Marking a significant step for the design-forward travel gear brand, Eume has opened its first flagship store at Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru. .

Serving as a hub for Eume’s complete product range, the new store features  their popular backpacks, trolleys, and laptop bags, alongside the standout Eume Trunk. The collection highlights India’s first zipperless, 100 per cent aluminum cabin luggage, a product that reinforces Eume’s pioneering position in the high-luxury travel segment.

Naina Parekh, Co-Founder, Eume says, this new store allows customers to feel, explore, and experience travel gear through a bold, elevated lens.

Eume has deployed a transparent mobile showroom and an eye-catching truck gallery that showcase the brand's signature collections. This unique installation traveled through key Bengaluru hubs like Bellandur, Manyata Tech Park, EGL, and CV Raman Nagar, effectively capturing attention and offering an on-the-go preview of Eume’s distinctive brand personality and product craftsmanship.

Founded in 2017 by Naina Parekh and Pranay Parekh, Eume established itself as a digital-first brand, gaining recognition particularly for its innovative massager backpacks. This physical expansion signifies their commitment to providing a more immersive brand experience for consumers.

In collaboration with R|Elan, Ashish N Soni presented his highly anticipated collection, 'The Soirée at the Grand Budapest Hotel,' at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI 2025.

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The critically acclaimed show was a masterclass in modern black-tie dressing, blending the cinematic grandeur of the collection's namesake with Soni’s minimalist ‘Less is More’ philosophy.

The collection was a sophisticated array of opulent evening wear primarily rendered in the color black, showcasing a play on shadow, texture, and light.

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For women, the runway featured fluid gowns, sculpted shoulders, and cinched waists, softened by dramatic draping to create silhouettes that were both commanding and sensual. Soni described the looks as ‘architecture in motion.’

The menswear adhered to his signature sharp, immaculate tailoring. The collection offered a modern reinterpretation of traditional tuxedo-inspired cuts, pairing architectural jackets with wide-leg, comfortable trousers.

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The entire line represented a seamless fusion of nostalgia and modernity, achieving a look that was formal yet effortless.

Central to the collection’s success was the partnership with R|Elan, Reliance Industries’ innovative fabric brand. Soni utilized advanced textiles like R|Elan GreenGold, FeelFresh, and Kooltex.

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These fabrics enhanced the garments' breathability, drape, and lightness, proving that occasion wear can be both luxurious and future-ready.

This focus on performance and innovation without compromising high style has positioned the collection as a true game-changer in the world of high fashion, empowering wearers to move with confidence and flair.

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Leading e-commerce platform, Flipkart has launched a new program to boost the growth of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in I        ndia. Known as ‘Fashion Spotlight’, this initiative focuses on digital-first brands, especially those from smaller towns and cities aims to help them overcome barriers in scaling their businesses.

The program is launching just in time for India's 2025 festive season, which is a major sales period for fashion. Flipkart plans to expand the program tenfold by the end of the year, bringing on approximately 500 brands and democratizing the D2C fashion landscape.

While product innovation in India's fashion sector is thriving - from sustainable fabrics to traditional designs - many entrepreneurs struggle with discovery and distribution. Fashion Spotlight is designed to close this gap by leveraging Flipkart's extensive consumer data, merchandising expertise, and platform reach. The program is built on three key pillars including curated discovery, iterative product feedback and guaranteed visibility.

Flipkart has already seen significant growth from D2C fashion brands on its platform, with Rare Rabbit growing over 500 per cent Y-o-Y, Miraggio by more than 2,300 per cent, and Zouk by over 200 per cent.

Going beyond traditional accelerator models, Fashion Spotlight integrates Flipkart's full suite of technological capabilities. This includes features like video cataloging, image search, live commerce, and virtual try-ons, which create a tech-powered environment for fashion entrepreneurs to scale their businesses with confidence.

The program's timing aligns with a shift in the Indian fashion market, where consumers are increasingly prioritizing trends, identity, and comfort over just low prices. With one in three new Flipkart users making their first purchase in the fashion category, the company is positioning itself as a key growth driver for the D2C fashion ecosystem.

Men's lifestyle brand XYXX has launched India’s first seamless vest for men, the ‘Element Invisible Vest.’ Expanding XYXX’s Essential range, this new addition blends technical precision with ultimate comfort.

The launch of the ‘No Show: Invisible Vest helps XYXX address the real need for innerwear that not only performs but also boosts the wearer’s confidence, says  Yogesh Kabra, Founder. The

Vest helps modern Indian man feel more put-together, every day, he adds.

Engineered for a clean, non-restrictive fit, the Invisible Vest is crafted from ultra-soft, breathable super combed cotton, which XYXX claims is twice as soft as regular cotton. Its seamless construction ensures no visible lines, irritation, or bunching, allowing it to be worn smoothly under both formal and casual attire.

This ‘No Show’ vest highlights XYXX’s dedication to innovation-led design and its mission to elevate innerwear for today's Indian consumer. Based in Surat, the brand was launched by Kabra in 2017, according to business intelligence platform Tracxn.

Iconic Indian textile and apparel company, Raymond celebrated its 100^th anniversary with a grand event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

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The event paid a tribute to an extraordinary achievement that only a few homegrown Indian companies have reached.

It honored a century-long journey of contributing to India's economy, industry, and culture.

The night featured performances, stories, and tributes that highlighted Raymond's commitment to quality and its role in propelling India's textile industry.

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Gautam Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond Group, said, a century is not just a milestone - it is a saga of endurance, innovation, and trust built over generations.

The Raymond of tomorrow will stand tall on the foundation of 100 years of excellence.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of an exclusive ‘100 Years of Raymond’ postal stamp. This stamp serves as a timeless symbol of the company's journey from a small woolen mill in 1925 to a global corporation.

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The celebration also included a sneak peek at two new television campaigns and the premiere of an AI-generated short film, a 3.5-minute cinematic experience that hints at Raymond's future.

Over the past century, Raymond has clothed generations of Indians for various occasions, from daily business wear to wedding suits.

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The company has since expanded beyond textiles, diversifying into real estate, engineering, and aerospace and defense.

This growth is guided by a common principle: ‘excellence without compromise.’

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Indian luxury fashion designers, Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja have collaborated with A chic French lifestyle brand, L’Atelier 1664 to launch an exquisite capsule collection titled, ‘L’Atelier 1664 X Shivan & Narresh.’

This collaboration is a striking fusion of L'Atelier 1664’s signature Sapphire blue with Shivan & Narresh's design aesthetics, embodying the very essence of luxury and leisure. The collection features four sophisticated ready-to-wear styles and one sublime accessory, all celebrating the joy of art-de-vivre (the art of living).

The pieces showcase intricately crafted knits, abstract patchwork, and reimagined trellis patterns, creating a dynamic interplay of design, dimension, and depth. Rich hues and painterly strokes evoke an indulgent, expressive summer vibe, perfect for the discerning individual who truly embraces the Art of Holidays.

Partha Sarathi Jha, Vice President- Marketing , Carlsberg India, states, this collaboration marks an exciting beginning for L’Atelier 1664's series of unique, aspirational experiences and products, offering connoisseurs a tangible piece of French elegance.”

Shivan Bhatiya, Head Designer, and Narresh Kukreja, Creative Director, Shivan & Narresh, share, designing this limited-edition capsule for L’Atelier 1664 was a seamless meeting of minds and aesthetics. At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared philosophy — an ode to refined indulgence, elevated craftsmanship, and expressive design. The synergy between both brands allowed us to translate the timeless elegance of 1664 Blanc into a sartorial language marked by intricately crafted knit structures, abstract patchwork, and a bespoke reimagining of the iconic trellis.

The partnership was facilitated through Lakmē Fashion Week, leveraging the platform's long-standing commitment to fostering dialogues at the intersection of design, culture, and lifestyle.

This highly exclusive collection will be available for a limited period of six months, sold only at the Shivan & Narresh’s Kala Ghoda store in Mumbai.

Designer Gazal Gupta has expanded her retail footprint with a new luxury store at Dhan Mill in New Delhi. The 5,000-sq-ft space, spread across two floors, embodies the brand's philosophy of ‘restrained luxury,’ blending vintage Indian maximalism with baroque architectural elements.

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The store’s interiors were inspired by traditional Indian craftsmanship, with design features created and sourced from across the country.

In-house elements like ornamented pillars, ceiling motifs, patterned flooring, jeweled chandeliers, and marble inlays highlight the brand's focus on indigenous design and detailing.

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The new space will feature all of Gazal Gupta's luxury collections, including demi-couture, prêt, and resort wear, along with signature prints. The brand is also introducing its menswear line for the first time.

The store's layout is designed to provide dedicated spaces for each collection, giving customers a comfortable and seamless shopping experience.

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While Gupta led the creative vision, the project was executed in partnership with architect Sanchit Arora and his team at Renesa Architects.

Gazal Gupta notes, the significant growth from her first 500-sq-ft store to this new flagship location in one of the city's most prestigious neighborhoods. She credits her team, partners, and customers for the brand's success.

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According to Gupta, Dhan Mill has become a key hub for luxury fashion and lifestyle retail in New Delhi.

With this expansion, she aims to deepen its connection with customers and reinforce its presence in India's premium fashion market by offering one of the largest luxury retail spaces in the area.

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Prominent Indian apparel and retail powerhouse, Arvind Fashions’ net profit rose tenfold to Rs 13 crore in Q1 FY26, as compared to just Rs 1 crore in the same period last year.

The company’s revenues increased by 16 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 1,107 crore from Rs 955 crore in Q1 FY25. This significant growth was fueled by strong traction across all sales channels, underscoring the company's effective market strategies.

A pivotal factor in this outstanding performance was the continued expansion of its direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels. The company saw an 8.1 per cent like-to-like (LTL) sales growth, complemented by over 30 per cent growth in its online B2C segment. This highlights a successful shift towards consumer-centric digital engagement.

Gross margins expanded by 60 basis points to 55.9 per cent, a testament to more disciplined pricing and reduced discounting. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) rose by 20.3 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 148 crore, with margins improving by 50 basis points to 13.4 per cent. This margin expansion occurred despite a strategic 140 basis points increase in advertising spend, indicating that marketing investments are yielding strong returns. The company’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 64.6 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 39 crore in Q1 FY26.

Shailesh Chaturvedi, Managing Director & CEO, Arvind Fashions, avers, Q1 FY26 witnessed a bright start to this year with revenue growth reaching 16 per cent. This is a testimony of the company’s conscious efforts of investing in higher marketing to re-energize their industry-leading brands, leading to strong awareness and higher footfalls along with market share gains. Moving ahead, Arvind Fashions will continue to focus on their direct channel strategy, resulting in higher bottom-line & ROCE, he adds.

India’s leading casual and denim brand, Arvind Fashions boasts a diverse portfolio that includes popular international labels like U.S. Polo Assn., Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Arrow, alongside well-known indigenous brands such as Flying Machine.