Levi’s scales larger ICON stores and women’s wear to accelerate India growth

Levi’s is expanding larger-format and ICON stores across key Indian cities while building women’s wear, tops, non-denim and premium Red Loop. India, now among the company’s top six markets, is supported by local design and manufacturing.

— Source published Sat, 22 Aug, 2026, 07:50 IST · First seen Sat, 22 Aug, 2026, 10:06 IST · Source ET Retail

What happened

Levi's is prioritising larger stores and ICON formats in key Indian cities, while expanding women's wear, tops, non-denim and premium Red Loop. Local design and

Key facts

  • 500th store in India recently opened
  • ICON stores contribute around 20% of India DTC revenue
  • Denim and non-denim growing at mid-double digits in India
  • Women's wear growing at high double digits
  • Tops account for more than 50% of India business versus around one-third globally
  • India consumers buy more than one top per bottom; global ratio is one top per three bottoms
  • Red Loop contributes around 15% of men's business
  • FY25 global revenue: $6.3 billion
  • Global revenue ambition: $10 billion
  • India is among Levi Strauss & Co.'s top six global markets
  • 10-member India design team
  • 95% of India products are made in India and designed for India
  • About 85% are original India-for-India designs
  • More than 95% of products consumed in India are locally made

Why this matters

Levi’s local design, manufacturing and premium category build-out strengthen its India platform, potentially making adjacent women’s apparel, lifestyle and retail-format partnerships more strategically relevant.

What to watch

  • ICON store sales productivity, conversion rate and four-wall profitability versus standard stores.
  • Women’s-wear growth persistence, repeat purchase rates and share of total India DTC revenue.
  • Average selling price and full-price sell-through for Red Loop and non-denim assortments.
  • Number and geographic mix of new large-format openings, especially beyond major metros.
  • Markdown rates, inventory turns and gross-margin movement as fashion assortment expands.
  • Competitive women’s denim launches, promotional intensity and premium mall leasing activity.
  • Evidence that locally designed products are reducing lead times or improving sell-through.
  • Prioritize ICON and larger-format openings in top metros and high-income tier-two catchments with established premium mall traffic.
  • Use local design and manufacturing to shorten women’s-wear refresh cycles, test regional fits and manage smaller fashion-led inventory buys.
  • Expand Red Loop through selective shop-in-shops, elevated visual merchandising and limited drops rather than broad discount-led distribution.
  • Increase CRM segmentation around women customers, pairing denim with tops, outerwear and accessories to raise cross-category basket size.
  • Secure premium mall locations and renegotiate landlord terms using Levi’s growing traffic contribution and omnichannel fulfillment value.