Industry Leaders Call for ‘Brands for Billions’ to Drive India’s Next Retail Revolution

Retail and fashion leaders at Bharat Tex 2026 highlight consumer aspirations, omnichannel growth, premiumisation and global brand-building as key drivers of India's next retail growth phase.

India's fashion and retail sector is entering a new phase of growth, with industry leaders calling for the creation of globally competitive "Brands for Billions" that can serve India's expanding consumer base while building an international presence.

These perspectives were shared during the panel discussion, "Brands for a Billion: The Great Indian Retail Revolution," jointly organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) at Bharat Tex 2026.

The session brought together senior executives and industry experts, including Rahul Mehta (CMAI), P. Venkatesalu (Trent Ltd.), Siddharth Bindra (Biba Apparels), Rajesh Jain (Lacoste India), Nikhil Upadhye (Benetton India), Gautam Saraogi (Go Colors), Sidhant Keshwani (Libas), Maya Pradeep (Haute Couture), Shweta Agarwal (Tradyl) and Harminder Sahni (Wazir Advisors).

India's Apparel Market at an Inflection Point

Setting the context, Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI, said India's apparel industry has reached a significant growth phase. He noted that the domestic fashion market is valued at nearly USD 98 billion, while branded apparel consumption per capita remains comparatively low, indicating substantial room for expansion.

According to Mehta, rising incomes, evolving lifestyles and increasing consumer aspirations are creating favourable conditions for organised fashion retail.

Consumers Becoming More Aspirational

Discussing changing consumer behaviour, P. Venkatesalu, CEO & Managing Director, Trent Ltd., observed that Indian shoppers are increasingly seeking trend-driven fashion, convenience and wider product choices.

He added that digital adoption has narrowed the gap between metro and non-metro markets, with consumers in Tier II, III and IV cities becoming equally aware of global fashion trends and expecting better quality and value.

Omnichannel Retail Continues to Gain Importance

Gautam Saraogi, Founder & CEO, Go Colors, said consumers are increasingly willing to travel longer distances for enhanced shopping experiences, encouraging retailers to invest in larger experiential stores.

Sharing the perspective of a digital-first brand, Sidhant Keshwani, Founder & CEO, Libas, highlighted that fashion retail will increasingly rely on the complementary strengths of online and offline channels. While e-commerce and quick commerce address convenience, physical stores continue to play an important role in product discovery and brand engagement.

Building Strong and Authentic Brands

Siddharth Bindra, Managing Director, Biba, emphasised that brands must preserve their core identity while expanding.

He noted that although Indian ethnic wear continues to evolve alongside changing lifestyles, maintaining consumer trust and a consistent brand promise remains essential for long-term growth.

Similarly, Nikhil Upadhye, Managing Director, Benetton India, said staying true to a brand's original values is critical for building large-scale businesses.

Global Ambitions for Indian Fashion Brands

Speaking on premium fashion, Rajesh Jain, Managing Director & CEO, Lacoste India, said India's premium consumer segment is expanding rapidly. He added that brands aiming for global scale must establish a strong international presence.

Maya Pradeep, Founder & Creative Director, Haute Couture, observed that many Indian entrepreneurs are increasingly focusing on quality, sustainability, transparency and digital influence, strengthening their prospects in international markets.

Understanding India's Diverse Consumer Base

Offering a market strategy perspective, Shweta Agarwal, Founder & CEO, Tradyl, said India should be viewed as a collection of diverse consumer segments rather than a single homogeneous market.

She suggested that brands capable of understanding regional preferences and developing differentiated value propositions would be better positioned for long-term growth.

Formalisation and Scale to Shape the Future

Providing an industry-wide outlook, Harminder Sahni, Founder & Managing Director, Wazir Advisors, said India's branded apparel market remains significantly under-penetrated compared to developed economies.

He identified increasing formalisation, industry consolidation, supply chain efficiency, operational excellence, innovation and scale as key factors that will define competitiveness over the coming decade.

Industry Calls for a Global Mindset

The discussion concluded with a shared view that Indian companies should move beyond seeing themselves primarily as exporters and instead focus on building globally recognised fashion brands.

Industry leaders agreed that India's next retail revolution will be driven by companies combining strong consumer understanding, innovation, omnichannel capabilities and global ambitions. With a growing domestic market and expanding retail ecosystem, they said India has the opportunity to create multiple homegrown "Brands for Billions" capable of competing successfully on the global stage.