Reliance Retail executive flags intensifying competition in Indian fashion
Reliance Retail executive Akhilesh Prasad says only the fittest companies will survive in India’s fashion market, signalling continued competitive pressure across the sector.
What happened
Reliance Retail executive Akhilesh Prasad says only the fittest companies will survive in India’s fashion industry, highlighting competitive pressures in the
Why this matters
Expect stronger incentives for consolidation, brand partnerships, and capability acquisitions as fashion retailers seek scale and defensible advantages in India.
What to watch
- Sustained increase in fashion discount depth or frequency during major Indian festive and end-of-season sales.
- Comparable-sales growth and gross-margin commentary from Reliance Retail, Trent, ABFRL, Shoppers Stop and major value-fashion chains.
- Store-expansion announcements by Zudio, Max Fashion, Trends, Yousta and other value-oriented formats.
- Inventory build, markdown provisions or working-capital deterioration among listed fashion retailers.
- M&A, franchise partnerships, closures or funding stress involving regional chains and digital-first fashion brands.
- Marketplace fashion GMV growth and changes in seller incentives, delivery economics or private-label activity.
- Increase private-label penetration and exclusive brand partnerships to protect margin and assortment differentiation.
- Use data-led localized merchandising to reduce markdowns, improve size availability and accelerate replenishment.
- Prioritize omnichannel fulfillment, including store-led delivery and inventory visibility, to defend convenience against marketplaces.
- Review underperforming stores, brands and digital channels for rationalization, partnership or acquisition potential.
- Maintain selective promotional investment focused on high-retention customer cohorts rather than blanket discounting.