Dear Readers,
Over the past 25 years, the fashion retail industry has undergone a remarkable transformation—shaped by shifting consumer aspirations, evolving business models, and the constant interplay of creativity and commerce. From the early days of organised retail to today’s complex, omnichannel ecosystem, fashion has mirrored the pace of change in society, technology, and the economy. What was once a largely fragmented market has grown into a dynamic, globally connected industry driven by scale, speed, and innovation. In India, this journey has been particularly compelling. Rising incomes, urbanisation, global exposure, and a young, digitally native consumer have fuelled the expansion of fashion retail across categories, price points, and geographies. Brands have evolved from product-led players to experiencedriven organisations, while retailers have adapted to new formats, faster trend cycles, and the growing influence of data and technology.

The Knowledge Company estimates that in the fiscal year 2024, the fashion retail market was valued at approximately $70.29 billion (Rs 6,18,525 crore) and it is projected to expand by a strong 11% to reach approximately $78.02 billion (Rs 6,86,562 crore) in fiscal year 2025. This dynamism is also reflected in its growing contribution to the overall retail sector, with its market share anticipated to increase from 7.3% in FY 2024 to 7.4% in FY 2025.

This growth, however, has not come without its inflection points. Each phase of expansion has brought new challenges—whether it was building scale, managing supply chains, navigating digital disruption, or responding to changing consumer expectations. Sustainability, circularity, and ethical responsibility have emerged as critical considerations in recent years, joining a broader set of imperatives that now shape decision-making across the fashion value chain.

Meanwhile, growing importance of sustainability in fashion retail is reflected in IMAGES Group’s decision to host the IFF Innovators Club conclave at its flagship event, India Fashion Forum 2026. The key theme of the conclave is Conscious & Committed: The Playbook for Responsible Fashion Creation — a purpose-driven platform that brings together global value-chain partners and innovations aimed at enhancing sustainability at the retail level. From responsible sourcing to cleaner production practices, CCS will foster multifaceted conversations at the intersection of fashion, ethics, climate action, and culture.

As the industry marks a milestone moment, it is also taking stock of where it stands and where it must go next. Innovation—across materials, manufacturing, retail technology, and business models—continues to redefine what is possible. Transparency, agility, and consumer-centricity have become as important as design and pricing. The fashion retailer of today must balance growth with responsibility, efficiency with experience, and global ambition with local relevance.

In this context, IMAGES Group – which is proudly celebrating 25 Years of India Fashion Forum in 2026 –continues its commitment to chronicling the evolution of fashion retail through the India Business of Fashion Report 2026.

India Business of Fashion Report 2026 is more than a book—it is a high-impact platform that sparks ideas, shapes conversations, and drives innovation across the fashion retail ecosystem. This latest edition reflects on the industry’s journey over the past quarter-century while offering insights into the forces that will define its future. Through expert perspectives, research-driven analysis, and real-world case studies, the report captures the complexities, opportunities, and strategic shifts shaping fashion retail today.

The book goes beyond print to serve as a powerful platform for insight, innovation, and industry-wide dialogue, serving as a catalyst for forward-looking ideas and strategic thinking in fashion retail.

At its core, this book is a thought leadership platform that influences how the industry thinks, innovates, and evolves. It is both a reflection and a roadmap—celebrating how far the fashion retail industry has come, while challenging stakeholders to think boldly about what lies ahead. The next phase of growth will demand sharper strategies, deeper collaboration, and a clear understanding of the changing consumer and marketplace.

As fashion retail in India and globally enters its next chapter, the opportunity is clear: to build businesses that are not only profitable and scalable, but also relevant, resilient, and ready for the future.

The post India Business OF Fashion Report 2026 appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.

Retail on Wheels captures how India has turned e-commerce into an art form — powered by proximity, purpose, and a bit of chaos management. It’s not just a market report; it’s a mirror of how the world’s most complex retail ecosystem learned to move faster than traffic on the Western Express Highway.

Across its three sections, Retail on Wheels tracks how a trillion-dollar consumption economy is being re-engineered — from defining the difference between e-commerce and quick commerce, to decoding how ONDC, UPI, and AI are quietly creating the world’s most inclusive, intelligent retail grid.

Foundations: Demand, Definitions & the Digital Flywheel

1.1 Defining E-Commerce and Quick Commerce in the Indian Context
1.2 How India Built a $60B E-Commerce Flywheel
1.3 Why Every Brand Needs an E-Commerce Strategy
1.4 India’s E-Commerce Acceleration: A Market in Motion
1.5 How India Shops & Eats Online: Inside the $345 Billion E- & Q-Commerce Revolution
Speed & Proximity: Building the Instant-Commerce Stack

2.1 How AI, Data, and Dark Stores are Reinventing Fulillment for the Speed-First Shopper
2.2 Innovation in Q-Commerce: When Speed Meets Scale — and Reliance Gets its Move On
2.3 Quick Commerce Changing the FMCG Retail Landscape in India
2.4 Quick Commerce: The Fast Lane Redefining India’s Retail Future
2.5 How India’s E-Commerce Supply Chain is Solving for Speed and Scale
2.6 Speed, Scale, and the New Shape of Indian E-Commerce
2.7 India’s Digital Food Economy: The E-Commerce and Q-Commerce Surge
E-Commerce 2030: Growth, Profitability & the New Rules of Engagement

3.2 The Future of E-Commerce: The Decade of Intelligent Commerce
3.3 Regulation, Safety & Compliance in India’s E-Commerce Food Ecosystem

The post Retail on Wheels 2025- appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.

Dear Readers,
The fact that the global fashion retail industry is at a transformative shift with sustainability at its core comes as no surprise. As one of the largest contributors to global waste and carbon emissions, the industry bears a unique obligation—and an incredible opportunity—to reshape its future. Brands, retailers and companies at large are committing to designing, producing, and selling clothing in ways that respect the planet and its people. From using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester to ensuring ethical labor practices across supply chains, sustainability in fashion retail addresses environmental impact and social equity in equal measure.

Infact, a Technopak study has revealed that the Indian fashion retail industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10% during 2023-2028 and continued consumer shift towards sustainability and corporate adoption of eco-friendly practices are expected to drive this growth.

However, even moving towards a progressive phase has not been easy for the industry. While it is true that sustainability in fashion retail is no longer a choice but a mandate driven by conscious consumers and the pressing realities of climate change, it is also true that the shift itself comes with a set of obstacles which are challenging to navigate. Limited awareness and education around sustainable practices among consumers, designers, and small-scale producers; infrastructure and technology gaps; labour and ethical issues;regulatory frameworks and scaling challenges for small enterprises all pose hurdles to a smooth transition towards a sustainable fashion framework. Nonetheless, as consumers are waking up to the cause of preserving the planet for future generations and the ‘ethical fashion market’ is gaining popularity, brands and retailers are waking up to the challenge.

Innovative technologies—focused on recycling, upcycling, and extending product lifecycles—have emerged as a cornerstone, alongside efforts to reduce waste, minimise carbon footprints, and embracing renewable energy. Transparency is also key, with brands prioritising honest sourcing and production to build consumer trust.

So much has the subject of sustainability been gaining prominence that we at IMAGES Group are hosting an IFF Innovators Club Conclave at our flagship event, India Fashion Forum 2025. A powerful highlight of the conclave is Customer-Centric Sustainability (CCS), a purpose driven platform with a showcase of global value chain partners and their innovations that help improve sustainability of the current offering at retail. From sourcing responsibly to sustainable production techniques, CCS will feature a range of multifaceted conversations at the intersection of fashion, ethics, climate change and culture.

Keeping this pivotal understanding in mind, IMAGES Group is releasing the third edition of its Sustainability Yearbook. The India Business of Fashion Report 2025 is an insightful and timely coffee table book, which studies the shift in the industry’s role towards creating a more responsible and inclusive future.
This 21st edition of our annual Business of Fashion Report is a green edition, which in keeping with our theme is printed using Favini Shiro Echo, an environmental paper with 100% recycled fibres – from cover to cover. Shiro Echo paper is CO2 emissions neutralised, and all raw materials are sourced from controlled and certified sources. Do take a look on this page to view the official certification.

Our exhaustive, research-based book presents a thorough exploration of the complex dynamics in fashion retail, featuring expert perspectives on supply chain management, sustainable circularity, and ethical practices. It addresses both the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry, offering readers a deep understanding of the evolving landscape.

It explores how the industry can embrace the shift towards sustainability and circularity, closing the loop and weaving an earth-friendly ethos into every facet of the value chain, from sourcing and production to distribution and consumption.

At its heart, this book is a call to action for retailers, designers, and stakeholders to think beyond profits and trends and embrace the broader impact of their decisions. Through real-world case studies, cutting-edge innovations, and insightful analysis, it aims to inspire readers to redefine success in fashion retail.
The Fashion Retail Industry in India and across the world stands at a pivotal crossroads today, where creativity and commerce meet the urgent need for environmental and social responsibility. Together, we can forge a future where sustainability and profitability coexist, driving a positive impact on people, the planet, and the bottom line, because sustainability in fashion retail is no longer optional—it’s essential.

The post India Business OF Fashion Report 2025 appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.

Dear Readers,
It has been rightly said that sustainability is intuitively understood, yet has no coherent definition. It is context dependent and situational and has different meanings for different people. In the context of fashion retail, sustainability simply translates into preserving the environment, but away from the glitz and glamour of the world of clothes, the fashion retail industry has a dark, gritty side. It has the dubious distinction of being one of the largest polluters in the world today, and according to a study by WHO, contributes to nearly 10% of the global carbon emissions. Consumers are buying more, paying less and discarding faster than ever before. In response, clothes are being produced by the bulk and usingcheaper raw materials, in a bid to make fast profits. The Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a United Nations Environment Programme partner, has estimated that a truckload of abandoned textiles is dumped in landfill or incinerated every second.

However, every cloud has a silver lining. On the flip side of this dismal story is the beautiful tale of the rise of the sustainable fashion market. This segment of the industry has seen significant growth in recent years, as attitudes toward environmentalism have changed. Brands and retailers, alarmed at the increased rate of pollution are rapidly changing stance, shifting to sustainable methods of sourcing and production. As consumers are waking up to the cause of preserving the planet for future generations, the ‘ethical fashion market’, as it is being dubbed, is gaining popularity. This segment is expected to grow to 9.7% by 2030 and products marketed as sustainable are expected to grow 5.6 times faster than their regular counterparts. Studies show that the Asia Pacific region accounts for 36% of the global ethical fashion market, the largest global share.

It is keeping in mind this pivotal, transformational moment that we are introducing the second edition of IMAGES Group’s sustainability book. Beyond Trends: 100 Sustainable Fashion Retail Initiatives is an insightful and timely book that studies change in consumer behaviour, leading to a makeover for the fashion retail industry. Once solely focused on style and trends, this industry is waking up to the clarion call for adoption of sustainable and circular practices.

As we stand at the intersection of fashion and responsibility, our book serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a more sustainable future for the industry.

Within these pages, readers will discover a wealth of knowledge and expertise from leading voices in the field. From the intricate complexities of supply chain management to the innovative solutions driving circularity and ethical practices, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing fashion retailers today.

But beyond mere analysis, this book is a call to action. It challenges us to rethink our approach to fashion, to re-imagine the way we design, produce, and consume clothing. It reminds us that sustainability is not just a trend but an imperative — a fundamental shift in mindset and practice that is essential for the well-being of our planet and its people.

This 20th edition of our annual Business of Fashion Report is a green edition, which in keeping with our theme is printed using Favini Shiro Echo, an environmental paper with 100% recycled fibres – from cover to cover. Shiro Echo paper is CO2 emissions neutralised, and all raw materials are sourced from controlled and certified sources. Do take a look on this page to view the official certification.

The book presents our discerning readers with a compilation of retailers, brands, and companies that deeply embrace and actively implement sustainability principles. While the responsibility of making mindful purchases ultimately rests with the consumer, we have endeavored to simplify this process by curating this list. Through our exploration of sustainability, we have come to recognize that consumers wield the greatest influence as the primary agents of change. They have the capacity to guide us toward a fashion retail environment that is more mindful and compassionate.

The post India Business OF Fashion Report 2024 appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.

SUMMARY

Even as brands and retailers move towards adopting ethical sustainable practices and being transparent from manufacturing to marketing, it falls on them drive the change in consumer behaviour towards a more sustainable fashion industry too. McKinsey notes in a study that companies with a focus on sustainability will drive attention from socially conscious consumers, apart from observing a general increase in efficiency, which will eventually result in economic gain.

It is critical then, that the industry aids consumers in understanding and identifying players who have adopted sustainability as a general standard.

As fashion retail companies work towards a reduced carbon footprint through end-to-end use of a garment, giving back to the earth and uplifting the weaker sections of society, we at IMAGES Business of Fashion – alongwith our partners at All Green Solutions LLC – are doing our bit in helping consumers identify brands that are environmentally conscious.

This 19th edition of the annual IMAGES Business of Fashion Report is a green edition, which in keeping with our theme, is printed using Favini Shiro Echo – an environmental paper with 100% recycled fibre – from cover to cover. Shiro Echo paper is CO2 emissions neutralised, and all raw materials are sourced from controlled and certified sources.

This edition presents a list of retailers, brands and companies who strongly believe in, and actively practice, sustainability. And while the onus of buying responsibly may fall on the consumer, we have worked towards making the process easier for them by curating this list – and in the process of studying sustainability, we have understood that it is, in the end, the consumer who is the most powerful driver of change, who can lead the way towards a more a more conscious and compassionate fashion retail landscape.

The post INDIA BUSINESS OF FASHION REPORT 2023 appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.

The post INDIA BUSINESS OF FASHION REPORT 2019 appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.

The post INDIA BUSINESS OF FASHION REPORT 2018 appeared first on India Retailing Book Store.