Aanchal Jain

Retail chains like Pantaloons, Spencer's Retail, and Nature's Basket closed down more stores in 2023–24 than they opened new ones, leading to a drop in their total store count. V Mart retail, W Aurelia and Titan Eye+ had higher store closures than openings in the quarter January to March 24. Pantaloon store count dropped from 431 in FY23 to 417 in FY24, with 33 stores closed to improve network quality. What is going on? On one hand, it is said that India is growing (regional GDP is projected to grow by 5.8% in 2024 (an upward revision of 0.6 percentage points since January - Ref. The Hindu [https://lnkd.in/g8AEmjJQ]) and on the other hand the big retailers are closing their shops. They can afford to close their shops, however, what will happen to the boys and girls working in those stores, the suppliers who are making their living by supplying to them. Probably poor planning, both while opening the store and while hiring people. Stakeholders suffer more than the brand when the brand take such hasty decision. Can't be a holistic approach, where both brand and stakeholders can be saved. #Retail #Pantaloon #VMart #India #Economy #GDP #IndiaGrowthRate #Jobs #Employment #Success #Entrepreneurship #StartUp #Strategy https://lnkd.in/gt8gKcaR

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Puzzles me why the Tatas would have another brand in the Quick Commerce space, when Big Basket could probably do the job better, with of course operational arrangements with Croma & Tata Cliq (as Neu would have too) I believe Big Basket has its own challenges with its new focus on QC, and integrating its scheduled and instant deliveries, which is also a bit confusing for customers. And Neu will probably add to that. Somehow, even two and a half years after launch, Neu still seems to be a hammer looking for a nail... #tataneu #bigbasket #quickcommerce

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Is it right for Research agencies to come out with studies rating brands and channels? Till the time they write both positive and negative it is fine. However anything which is only positive is more of an advertorial than an editorial. There are enough studies they can undertake for brands internally to help them improve their performance. Sharing only the positive side publicly of any party to me is being partisan. What do you say?

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Please do read my blog post on Vivo and why it has been so successful in offline. vivo India

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A Game-Changing Collaboration: Zepto & Shaadi.com Who would have thought we'd see a crossover between love and 10-minute delivery? Need a wedding outfit in a flash? You can now get Vedant Fashions Limited - Manyavar-Mohey delivered in just 10 minutes on Zepto. And guess what? Even Shaadi.com couldn't resist crashing the party! The recent partnership between Zepto and Shaadi.com is a brilliant example of how the landscape of advertising is evolving in ways we’ve never imagined before. For decades, brands kept to their own lanes, and collaborations were cautious, often driven by months of planning and a win-lose mentality. Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a shift where creativity and co-creation are taking the front seat. Thanks to the immediacy of social media and the rapid pace of change, brands are now co-creating content and experiences more than ever. And with the power of AI, this trend is only set to accelerate. The lines between industries are blurring, and brands are now conversation starters, not just providers of products or services. Remember the days when a brand was simply what it told its customers? Today, brands are what customers say about them. This shift means that marketers must entertain, engage, and educate in a way that sparks genuine conversations. Those who embrace this new role and allow customers to co-own the brand experience will be the ones to lead the charge in the coming decade. Zepto and Shaadi.com have taken a bold step in reshaping how we think about collaboration, and it's an exciting glimpse into the future of advertising. #Innovation #Advertising #BrandCollaboration #Zepto #ShaadiDotCom #ChangingTheGame #QuickCommerce #Branding #Marketing #AI #CustomerEngagement East India Retail Connect

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I analysed the relative search share for four major retail fashion brands in India over the past six years. Zudio’s search interest is growing sharply, consistently capturing consumer attention, while brands like Reliance Trends, Pantaloons, and Max Fashion India are seeing declines. This can be further explored to assess the brand's search share across specific regions or states. However, search interest alone isn’t enough to build a growth strategy. To get a clear picture, brands need to look at search data alongside other data points: 🟣 Core Revenue & Customer Data: Analysing revenue and customer engagement—online and in-store—reveals insights into brand loyalty and buying behaviour. 🟣 Marketplace Performance vs. Competitors: Comparing the brand’s relative sales on e-commerce platforms relative to competitors highlights gaps in content, pricing, and product variety. 🟣 Geographical Data: Location-based insights reveal customer density, affluence, and interests at catchment level. With this holistic view, brands can pinpoint where consumer interest turns into sales and where it doesn't and work on the following key areas: 🟧 Product Range Expansion: Identify product range gaps and expand offerings to cater to evolving preferences. 🟧 Market Expansion: Spot high-interest regions with limited availability and guide store openings or targeted online efforts. 🟧 Pricing & Promotions: Use price sensitivity insights to refine strategies 🟧 Content & Messaging: Develop impactful product content based on analysis and learnings from competition. 🟧 Targeted Outreach: Engage identified customer segments where the brand has both trending merchandise and availability, but sales are poor. At MAAVRUS , we help B2C businesses achieve profitable OMNI growth, by using Data Insights & AI enabled digital solutions, that span customer loyalty & engagement, product & expansion strategy, and shopping experience. If you are interested in knowing more, please get in touch with us at 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭@𝐦𝐚𝐚𝐯𝐫𝐮𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦 #RetailInsights #BrandGrowth #DataDrivenStrategy #SearchData #marketplacedata #locationdata #customerdata #internaldata #d2cbrands

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The next big growth for D2C brands ? Going Omni-Channel, and that’s exactly what Broadway is solving! Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Broadway store in Vasant Kunj, Ambience Mall in Delhi with my family. The store is very modern take on Indian Multi Brand Retail Stores by Vivek Biyani . While most of the large retail stores focus on International brands, what unique out of Broadway is that they are showcasing 50+ Indian D2C brands across beauty, health, fragnance, clothing, fashion, sneakers, music, luggage ..etc. What I loved about Broadway : • Entire store was super instagrammable • Best of the D2C brands of India • Indian & international groceries • Delicious live food selection • Unique D2C Products • Super cool store vibe • Amazing store music • Live demos, stylings & much more While I had seen many of these brands online and on IG, experiencing brands first hand was super cool . It’s much more than a multi-brand store—it’s an ecosystem for 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀. Taking the Social, Online , Offline = Omni Experience to the next level. Having spent over a decade in Vasant Kunj, I had good memories of this mall. The same spot once housed Big Bazaar (also by the Biyani family)! and having Broadway was a bit nostalgic ( as both come from Biyani's ) Some notable D2C brands: The Good Bug ,ISAK Fragrances , Nish Hair  ,The Souled Store ,boAt Lifestyle ,Suta Sarees, Mokobara ,Minimalist, Fiona Diamonds and many more.. Broadway is taking the Social, Online, and Offline experience to the next level! Do check out my video below PS - this is not a sponsored post 😂 #omnichannel #offline #d2c

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The rise of D2C (direct-to-consumer) brands in India has completely transformed the retail landscape. By leveraging the internet and social media, they're not just catering to your needs but also influencing your desires. In my search for a safe and effective product for my 11-year-old daughter, my sister recommended Tikitoro products, acting as a helpful guide. The space for kids related products also happens to be a fiercely competitive one and presents a challenge. Different variety in this segment are in abundance, which is likely to make offline retail expensive. Online retail, therefore, is the smarter way to grow. In a market flooded with choices, D2C brands are building a distinctive identity and tell an engaging story to stand out. With numerous customer engagement channels available, including various social media platforms, these brands are connecting with consumers even before a purchase is made. Since I missed out on Tikitoro’s preliminary 10% discount, they gave me a 15% discount coupon instead. Additionally, upon request, they accelerated the delivery of my product. Even their packaging is fully recyclable, to ensure a safer planet for future generations. This experience taught me several valuable lessons: 📌D2C brands are creating their own online presence through their websites or specialized e-commerce platforms. This setup gives them full control over the customer experience, branding, and data insights. It allows brands to offer a more customized shopping experience, collect customer feedback, and forge direct relationships with their audience. 📌In the D2C marketing era, brands are overcoming traditional barriers and building stronger connections with their customers. 📌Looking ahead, as D2C brands continue to thrive in India, it’s crucial to focus on achieving a perfect product-market fit, understanding the consumer value chain and crafting a compelling brand narrative. We are approaching a pivotal moment where end-users will have greater control over decision-making and purchasing. East India Retail Connect Saheli Choudhury Mandovi Ray

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Jing Daily in one of its articles captures the Tier II Cities - luxury customer - A great learning for brands moving to India - Rich are in pockets and pockets are spread out - Value exchange remains the same - Excerpts from the article : •As we enter the second half of the year: •Luxury brands strive to better tap underserved demographics. •Brands grapple with flagging consumer confidence and single-digit consumption growth in China. •To boost revenue, brands seek new pockets of growth and demand: •Some expand into lower-tier cities. •Others double down on culture and collaborations to attract affluent urbanites. •McKinsey & Company survey context: •Nearly 12,000 Chinese consumers surveyed at the end of 2023. •Consumers segmented into 108 distinct demographic groups based on: • City tier • Age • Household income • Other factors • Notable findings from the McKinsey survey: • High level of economic confidence among millennials in lower-tier cities, contrary to the nationwide trend of pessimism. • Approximately 75% of millennials in tier-3 and tier-4 cities express confidence in China’s economy. • Only 65% of millennials in higher-tier cities share this confidence. • Confidence is even higher among mid- and high-income millennials in lower-tier cities, exceeding 80%. •Contextualizing China’s consumer confidence: • Despite consistently low consumer confidence, China boasts one of the highest consumer confidence rates globally. • China surpasses many advanced economies in consumer confidence, including the UK, Germany, and Japan. • Factors contributing to consumer optimism in lower-tier cities: • Significantly lower living costs compared to tier-1 cities. • Lower living costs allow more disposable income for discretionary spending. • This makes millennials in lower-tier cities an attractive target for luxury brands. #management #luxury

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H&M and ZARA SA are outshined! Don't believe me? Zudio owned by Tata Group company Trent Ltd has been shaking up the industry! In less than 8 years, Zudio has gone from zero to hero, with its revenue skyrocketing from 478 crores in 2020 to over 3500 crores in 2023! And that's not all - the stock price of its parent company has skyrocketed over 8 times in just 5 years. But what's behind Zudio's massive success? 📍Unbeatable Pricing - With everything under Rs 999, Zudio nails both quality and trends, raking in a staggering revenue of Rs 17,300 per square foot. 📍Mastering Inventory - Zudio owns 100% of its brands, giving it total control over quality, quantity, design, and pricing, resulting in juicy profit margins. Plus, they refresh their products every 8 months, giving stores a complete makeover. 📍Strategic Locations - Zudio opts for smart locations in strategic outskirts and Tier 2/ Tier 3 cities, boosting footfall and helping Trent negotiate rent effectively. 📍Explosive expansion - From 40 stores in 2019 to a whopping 433 stores in 2023, all thanks to their FOCO (Franchise Owned Company Operated) model. In this model, franchise owners invest in store capital while Zudio funds the inventory, yielding a stunning 60% return on capital. Now that's what is called an amazing strategy! Zudio has been slaying the game since day one. P.S : Have you shopped at Zudio yet? #zudio #strategy #brand

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As I started advertising on Amazon ads for www.theindusroots.com, I realised that one of the most underrated reports available is the placement report. Here is what I have learnt in last 6 months. Typically, you will get better results from - 1. Top of Search - If you are into a new category like ours, where most customers are first time users. 2. Product Pages - If you are better than your target ASINs in at least 1 of the key features, it might be more reviews, better pricing or more relatable solution. 3. Rest of Search - If you are a new brand in a category with very high competition and high CPC. While it may not seem like the best choice, it might mean the best ROAS. Let me know if you agree or disagree!

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What a fantastic year we just concluded at Technsport. FY 23-24 was a milestone year and wanted to share a few highlights. 1. We have sold 15 million units of activewear last year. By far the largest by any activewear brand in India. 2. We started our D2C journey in FY24. In the first year of launch we have sold 1 million units of apparel online and at FULL PRICE ( cumulative discount for the year is less than 3%) . This was done across our own website and marketplaces. The overall performance marketing was in single digit % for the year. 3. We launched our B2B app ( https://t.ly/czQad ) for the retail partners in the last quarter in collaboration with our super stockists. Within a month of launch we got 5000+ downloads without any marketing. Early days and we have larger plans in FY25. 4. Launched our first ever marketing campaign ( https://t.ly/98Z46 ) during the cricket World Cup in a record time. Conceptualisation to delivery was done in a couple of weeks. And we could reach 35 million impressions during the campaign. 5. Successfully commissioned the state of the art manufacturing facility in SIPCOT Erode. One of the most advanced activewear factories in the world and environmentally sustainable too ( zero liquid discharge, green energy and ethically complaint working environment.) 6. Expanded our global footprint to GCC ( https://t.ly/-bU6f ) in partnership with Landmark group ( Stylli) and the initial response has been quite encouraging. We will kep on looking at global opportunities selectively in FY25. 7. On the product front we continue to disrupt and innovate ahead of its time. From a predominantly t-shirt driven brand to a multi category activewear brand. We have seen a surge in growth coming from other categories like Womens, Bottom-wear, Winter-wear and so on. 8. Lastly and most importantly we continue to invest in People and Team. Strengthened our leadership team in the last year and continue to get right talents across verticals- Manufacturing, Tech, EBO Business, Brand Marketing, Finance and so on. We started the corporate office in Bangalore last year and we have been fortunate to built a strong, agile and passionate team here too. Overall a great year and looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Sunil JhunJhunWala Sumit Santhalia Udit Chaturvedi Sandeep Jhunjhununwala amit kumar santhalia

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🌍 Exciting Insights from the In-store Asia Panel Discussion on "Experience On The Move" 🛍️ held in Mumbai last month. I had the privilege of joining a distinguished panel to discuss the evolving landscape of retail experience design in travel hubs, hosted by In-store Asia . We delved into how consumer behavior is transforming in travel settings and its impact on store design and presentation strategies. Here are some highlights from our engaging session: 🔹 Evolving Customer Behavior: We explored how travelers' expectations and behaviors are shifting, demanding more seamless and personalized shopping experiences. 🔹 Impact on Store Design: The discussion revealed the significant adaptations in store design and presentation to cater effectively to transient customers in travel destinations. 🔹 Engagement in Shorter Journeys: Strategies to engage and convert customers swiftly during shorter shopping windows were a focal point, emphasizing efficiency without compromising on experience. 🔹 Future Focus in India: Looking ahead, we identified key areas of focus for the Indian market, foreseeing trends that will shape the future of travel retail. It was a privilege to share insights alongside esteemed industry leaders: Sanjay Patil, Co-founder and CEO of FlatPackCo (Moderator) Robin Mathew, Head of Design & Retail Experience at Samsonite Shireesh Khare, Head Projects at Tata Starbucks Thank you, In-store Asia , for facilitating such an enriching discussion! Let's continue to innovate and elevate retail experiences for the global traveler. 🌟 #RetailDesign #TravelRetail #CustomerExperience #VMRD #PanelDiscussion #P

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Beauty has been one category that has seen a huge uptick with the advent of ECommerce. The category has witnessed a multitude of brands launches & online, marketplaces are also seeing a huge contribution to their topline & bottomline by this category. While at one hand you do have beauty anchored marketplaces like Nykaa, newly launched Tira & Sephora; on the other, every horizontal marketplace also has a dedicated beauty segment. From Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra to even Big Basket! The assortment means customers are not only spoilt for choice but also seeming to make the most of it. A recent Amazon study on the category growth & factors leading to it shared some wonderful insights which not only reflect the change in consumer behaviour but also the impact of social media on its consumption. 💄 While beauty is the overall category, it’s broadly divided into colour cosmetics / makeup & Skincare. Both are seeing explosive growth, but Skincare is growing faster. One reason could be that the category was much more under served than colour cosmetics. 💄 Growth of the beauty segment has also been driven by availability & reach. Last year Tier 2 & 3 cities saw as many new customers as Metros & Tier 1 markets did. 💄 The awareness of international brands, driven by social media & influencers mean customers in India are aware of the latest brand from all over the world, US, Europe, Korea & Japan. kindlife.in the conscious beauty ECommerce platform which recently got its Series A investment is looking to get more international brands to India to meet this the growing demand. 💄 Such influences have led to trends like K-beauty, clean beauty & also Ayurveda has seen a resurgence as customers seek holistic solutions for their skin care. 💄 Gen Z are a formidable market for the beauty category, on marketplaces like Amazon they account for almost 50% of the buyers. With higher awareness, they are leading the clean beauty segment’s growth which is at 40%! 💄 Another big contributor to beauty segment’s growth is the growth in usage by men. Men’s personal & skin care growth are rapidly growing, making up for the earlier low usage & growth rates. K-serials & pop stars have also led to demand in men’s make up products. While quite small now, by end of this decade it could be a significant contributor to the overall colour cosmetics market. Today we may not have in India a men’s only make up brand but I predict that will change within 2years. The beauty industry is not just keeping pace with change—it's leading it. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, those who innovate, embrace inclusivity, and prioritize sustainability will thrive in this space. The future of beauty is here, and it's more exciting than ever! What’s your take on this?? Let me know in the comments below! #beautyindustry #aiinbeauty #genz #mengrooming #ecommerce

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Omnichannel will be the route in retail- It is interesting to observe the focus on offline presence to increase the customer experience that a brand can offer. EBOs is a nudge for emerging names to build a physical brand identity. #retail #omnichannel #phygital #brandidentity

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Indian digital marketers not aware of Brand Lift Study? I recently came across a data point that says only 10-15% of Indian marketers might have actually used a Brand Lift Study (BLS), which is shocking. - How does a Brand Lift Study work? A Brand Lift Study helps you gain insights into the effectiveness of your campaign using surveys shown to groups of people at different times. This includes: Sample group: Consists of people who have seen your ads. Control group: Consists of people who are eligible to see your ads but were not shown them. - What are the benefits of a Brand Lift Study? It provides insights into how effective an advertising campaign is in terms of its impact on the brand. It helps optimize future campaigns by identifying which elements are most effective for brand impact. It can be used to assess the ROI of an advertising campaign. - Measure the metrics that matter with Brand Lift Do people recall watching my video ad? Are my target consumers more aware of my brand after viewing my video ad? Did my video ad influence people to consider my brand or product? Are consumers more favorably aligned with my brand’s message/identity after viewing my ad? Do consumers intend to purchase my product after seeing my ad? To know more about Brand leaf Study - https://shorturl.at/SLMW7 #BrandLift #DigitalMarketing #AdEffectiveness #CampaignInsights #MarketingStrategy #ConsumerBehavior #AdPerformance #BrandAwareness #MarketingROI #IndianMarketers #Advertising #BrandMarketing #MarketResearch #VideoAds #AdRecall

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Imagine this running, meeting new people, and a chance to build real connections. Sounds like a dream date, right? But the other day while passing through St.John’s signal in Bangalore, I spotted something similar. A billboard about PUMA Group and Bumble Inc. teaming up for a “Singles Run” event. Though a lot of billboards catch my attention at St.John’s, this one was really unique. For the first time, these two iconic brands decided to team up for a Singles Run on November 10th—just in time for Singles’ Day. As someone who’s all about fitness and community events, I think this partnership is a game-changer. Why? 1️⃣ Real Connections, Real Interactions: In a world where digital dating can feel shallow, this event gives singles a unique chance to meet in a real-world setting, without the pressure of swiping right. 2️⃣ The Gen Z & Millennial Vibe: Both generations crave authentic, low-pressure social interactions. This event meets that demand head-on. 3️⃣ Bumble’s Latest Report: 72% of Indians would be open to a sports-themed first date. This is no coincidence—this event speaks directly to that desire. But the magic doesn’t stop there… For Puma and Bumble, this collaboration is a win-win. It positions both as forward-thinking, youth-centric brands while tapping into each other’s audiences. The event leverages shared marketing goals and creates a buzz across both fanbases. And let’s not forget the timing—right before Singles’ Day, this partnership becomes the perfect mix of novelty and relevance. Plus, Bumble’s commitment to empowering people, especially women, takes on a whole new dimension by encouraging them to take the lead—this time in the real world. The cherry on top? User-Generated Content. Campaigns like this usually see a lot of social shares as Gen Z and Millennials flock to this event, spreading the word and amplifying brand reach organically. Also, brands looking for future brand partnerships targeting today’s purpose-driven, experience-loving consumers, can draw inspiration from this example.   Personally, I’m very excited to learn the stats and results of this collaboration - whether or not these brands were able to pull it off. Did you find this interesting? #puma #bumble #brandcollabs #genzmarketing #billboardads

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As human behavior gravitates back to personal connections, investing in offline presence is not just a trend but a strategic move for brands. Embracing this shift will help brands build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their customers. 🏪 74% of Indian consumers trust in-person interactions over online ones. 🍫 Offline stores lead to a 40% higher satisfaction rate compared to online shopping. 🛒 65% of Indian shoppers prefer a blend of online and offline shopping. Some of my fav brand which are revolutionizing offline retail in India - Lenskart.com Pepperfry Wow! Momo Bombay Shaving Company boAt Lifestyle Neeman's Check out this article for more insights: https://lnkd.in/djUDgRDq

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