Apparels

Marks & Spencer has revamped its international management team with three new senior appointments. Manish Kapoor has been named managing director for M&S India, Victoria Jones as commercial director, and Richard Davies as international partnerships director. Kapoor is tasked with advancing M&S India’s strategic plans as the retailer seeks sustainable growth and aims to attract younger shoppers.

Danish premium footwear brand Ecco is expanding its presence in India, targeting to open 25 exclusive stores by 2026, focusing on top malls and high streets in metro cities. The brand’s success is attributed to rising demand for premium footwear priced between Rs 15,000-25,000.

Ranbir Kapoor has launched ARKS, a lifestyle brand offering a curated wardrobe of premium essentials. The collection includes stylish and functional apparel, accessories, and sneakers for men and women. Designed with minimalist aesthetics and high-quality materials, ARKS aims to cater to individuals seeking understated luxury and timeless style inspired by Kapoor’s diverse interests.

Solitario Lab Grown Diamonds: The funding round saw participation from prominent investors such as Neeraj Gupta (Founder of Meru Cabs), Mauritius-based FPI Investi Global, Vicco Group, and Seema Manish Nuwal (Promoter of Solar Industries).

Footwear major Khadim India Ltd plans to demerge its distribution business by March 2025 with a subsequent listing by May. The move aims to improve margins and unlock value for its core retail segment. The company is also exploring partnerships to boost sales and expects to launch an athleisure segment to enhance its product range.

Senco Gold share price: Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal downgraded Senco Gold’s rating from ‘buy’ to ‘neutral’ due to margin volatility and weak earnings visibility. It has set a target price of Rs 400, suggesting a potential upside of 31% from current levels.

Omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart has started the process of its initial public offering (IPO) and is looking to file its draft papers by May, sources told ET. The company is set to enter the public markets with a $10 billion valuation, double its previous funding round.

Speaking at the Bharat Tex 2025, Modi said, “We are currently ranked as the 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world, with textile exports valued at approximately Rs 3 lakh crore. Our goal moving forward is to triple this figure and achieve exports worth Rs 9 lakh crore. “This success is attributed to the hard work and consistent policies implemented over the past decade, which have led to a doubling of foreign investment in the textile sector during this period.

Luxury houses have no choice but to change. They can’t increase the prices, but there will be an absolute shrinking of distribution. Brands have no choice but to take a hit. You cannot be in a luxury space and be ubiquitous, says Desirée Bollier, the chair and global chief merchant of Value Retail.

Nigeria’s Ogun state governor Dapo Abiodun has said the biggest cotton and apparel industry in West Africa will be soon set up in the state that can employ up to 40,000.
The groundbreaking ceremony for it would be performed soon, and it will be located in the Special Agro-Processing Zone.
His administration is working on generating power that would offer industries the cheapest source of energy.