Fashion retailer Shein and partner Reliance Retail plan to rapidly expand their Indian supplier base and start international sales of India-made Shein-branded clothes within six to 12 months, said two people with knowledge of the matter.

The China-founded, Singapore-headquartered Shein has been discussing plans with the Indian retailer since before the U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese imports that intensified the need to diversify sourcing, the people said. The aim is to raise Indian suppliers to 1,000 from 150 within a year, they said.

In a statement to Reuters, Shein said its partnership with Reliance was limited to the licensing of its brand to Reliance Retail for Indian domestic consumption only. Reliance did not respond to queries.

Shein sells low-priced apparel such as $5 dresses and $10 jeans shipped directly from 7,000 suppliers in China to customers in around 150 countries. Its biggest market is the U.S. where it is adjusting to tariffs on low-value e-commerce packages from China which could previously be imported duty free.

The retailer launched in India in 2018 but its app was banned in 2020 as part of government action against China-linked firms amid border tension with its northeastern neighbour.

It returned in February under a licensing deal with the Reliance Industries unit which launched SheinIndia.in selling Shein-branded clothes produced in local factories. In contrast, Shein’s other websites mainly list goods from China.

Reliance, controlled by Asia’s richest person, Mukesh Ambani, has contracted 150 garment manufacturers and is in discussion with 400 more, said the two people, declining to be identified due to confidentiality concerns.

The goal is 1,000 Indian factories making Shein-branded clothes within a year for both the Indian market and to service some of Shein’s global websites, the people said.

Shein initially wants to list India-made clothes on its U.S. and British websites, one of the people said. Discussions have been ongoing for months and the launch time of six to 12 months could change depending on supplier numbers, the person said.

The scale of supplier expansion and export time frame is being reported for the first time.

Shein has licensed its brand for domestic use to Reliance which “is responsible for manufacturing, supply chain, sales and operations in the Indian market alone,” Shein said in a statement.

In December, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal told parliament that the Shein-Reliance partnership aimed to create a network of Indian suppliers of Shein-branded clothes for sale “domestically and globally”.

ON-DEMAND MANUFACTURING

Shein is a fast-fashion behemoth earning annual revenue of more than $30 billion through low prices and aggressive marketing. Most of its products are from China with some made in countries such as Turkey and Brazil.

Its expansion in India mirrors interest in the country from the likes of Walmart and others throughout the global fashion and retail industries, particularly those looking for suppliers outside China due to the U.S.-China trade war.

The Shein India app has been downloaded 2.7 million times across Apple and Google Play stores, averaging 120% on-month growth since its launch, data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower showed.

Offerings during its first four months have reached 12,000 designs, a fraction of the 600,000 products on Shein’s U.S. site. In the women’s dresses category, its cheapest item was priced at 349 Indian rupees ($4) compared to $3.39 on the U.S. site as of June 9.

Shein’s Indian partner Reliance, which operates the app, is working with suppliers to assess whether they can replicate Shein’s global best-sellers at lower cost, the two people said.

Reliance aims to emulate Shein’s on-demand manufacturing model, asking suppliers to make as few as 100 pieces per design before increasing production of those that sell well, they said.

Executives from Reliance recently visited China to understand Shein’s “innovative” supply chain operations, “data driven” design processes and “disruptive” digital marketing, Manish Aziz, assistant vice president Shein India at Reliance Retail, said in a LinkedIn post in which he called Shein’s scale and speed “truly incredible”.

The partnership is one of dozens Reliance has with fashion brands, such as Brooks Brothers and Marks and Spencer. The firm also runs e-commerce site Ajio and its retail network competes with Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart as well as value retailers such as Tata’s Zudio.

Reliance plans to work with new suppliers to source fabric – especially fabric made using synthetic fibres where India lacks expertise – and import required machinery, the people said. The firm will invest in suppliers and help them grow which in turn will help the Shein-Reliance partnership go global, they said.

Author Credits- Dhwani Pandya
ZAWYA BY LSEG

US retailer Walmart has extended its drone delivery service with Wing, in what the companies are calling the “world’s largest drone delivery expansion ever”.

From next year, Walmart customers will be able to access drone delivery services at an additional 100 stores across several major US metros, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa. The service will also be expanded to additional stores in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), where Wing and Walmart already serve customers from 18 Supercenters.

“The popularity of drone delivery in DFW is a testament not just to its convenience, but to the way this technology quickly becomes a part of everyday life,” commented Wing CEO Adam Woodworth. “Walmart has been a strong partner that shares our commitment to innovation and is equally eager to bring this new type of service to many more households.”

According to Walmart, it already has the largest drone delivery footprint of any US retailer. Greg Cathey, SVP, Walmart US transformation and innovation, confirmed, “As we look ahead, drone delivery will remain a key part of our commitment to redefining retail. We’re pushing the boundaries of convenience to better serve our customers, making shopping faster and easier than ever before.

“This expansion of our drone delivery service marks a significant milestone in that journey. As the first retailer to scale drone delivery, Walmart is once again demonstrating its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance our delivery offerings with a focus on speed.”

This expansion comes 18 months after Wing and Walmart launched their first location together in the autumn of 2023. Since then, they’ve expanded around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, covering a population area of nearly two million people.

Wing and Walmart are completing thousands of weekly deliveries, with an average fulfillment time of less than 19 minutes.

“This is real drone delivery at scale,” Woodworth said. “People all around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have made drone delivery part of their normal shopping habits over the past year. Now we’re excited to share this ultra-fast delivery experience with millions more people across many more US cities.”

Author Credits- HAZEL KING
Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Coles is beefing up one particular section of its supermarket empire to take on rivals that aren’t Woolworths or Aldi. Chemist Warehouse, Bunnings and Amazon have been soaking up the health, beauty and household categories while the grocery giants fight it out on food and other essentials.

Coles lost an estimated $400 million to these other rivals in this sector, and it is making some changes to get a bigger piece of that pie. Leanne White has been appointed the supermarket’s new general manager for health and home, and she revealed Coles’ recent “step change”.

“We have all been working with a real supermarket lens on how to execute our offer and potentially have not lifted our eyes enough on the broader market set,” she said.

“We have also lost sight of the importance of health and home. The reality is we have stood still … we really, really need to lift our eyes.”

The health, beauty and household category is a large sector to tackle.

It includes items like makeup, supplements, cleaning products, and everything in between.

Bunnings and even The Reject Shop became unlikely sellers of household goods like laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid, with their prices often decently lower than Coles and Woolworths.

Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of articles raving about beauty items that have been selling out left, right, and centre at Chemist Warehouse, which has massively expanded its beauty and fragrance ranges.

Author Credits- Stewart Perrie
yahoo!Finance

Raju Vuppalapati, Chief Executive Officer of Country Road Group (CRG), has announced he will step down from his role at the end of August 2025 to pursue personal interests, concluding a four-year tenure marked by both transformation and turbulence at the prominent Australian fashion retailer.

Vuppalapati, who joined CRG in 2021, oversaw the management and repositioning of the group’s brands—including Country Road, Witchery, Trenery, Mimco and Politix—as well as the group’s return to department store Myer.

Reflecting on his departure, he described the role as an “honour and a privilege.”

“It has been a privilege to lead our passionate team and iconic brands,” he said in a statement.

“I know that I am leaving Country Road Group well-positioned to pursue its next chapter with compelling strategies, a strengthened culture and a clear pathway to reignite profitable growth.”

His resignation comes during a period of ongoing leadership changes at CRG. In recent years, several senior brand and group executives have exited the business. These changes have occurred in the context of a challenging retail environment and internal restructuring aimed at revitalising the group’s performance.

It is reported that while the company did not comment directly on reports of internal tensions, it acknowledged that maintaining strong workplace culture had been a priority.

Woolworths Holdings, the South Africa-based parent company of CRG, expressed its appreciation for Vuppalapati’s contributions. Chief Executive Roy Bagattini credited him with spearheading a major transformation that has reshaped the business for future growth.

“The business transformation has been one of the most pivotal strategic initiatives undertaken by the group,” said Bagattini.

“Raju leaves the company in a foundationally much stronger position.”

The group reported a 6.2 per cent decline in sales in the first half of the 2024–25 financial year, while profit margins have been impacted by broader economic and operational headwinds. In 2024, he described the conditions as a “perfect storm” facing the retail sector.

Founded in 1974, Country Road is a mainstay of the Australian fashion scene, known for its modern, minimalist aesthetic. The company has yet to announce his successor, although recruitment for a new CEO is understood to be underway. In the meantime, CRG will continue to implement its strategic roadmap and focus on stabilising performance across its brand portfolio.

News Credits- The Australia Today

Flipkart, last valued at $37 billion in 2024 when it raised $1 billion in a funding round led by Walmart, is shifting its holding company from Singapore to India. Walmart also aims to take the 17-year-old company public.

Flipkart has received a lending licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Walmart-backed ecommerce company confirmed on Thursday. The nod came in March this year. The move could pave the way for Flipkart to offer loans directly to customers, sources said noting the specific instances in which the customers at times choose the EMI model or instalment mode to pay for products they choose.

This is the first time the RBI has granted a large e-commerce player in India a non-bank finance company (NBFC) licence, allowing it to lend but not take deposits. Most e-commerce platforms currently offer loans in tie-ups with banks and NBFCs, but a lending licence will enable Flipkart – India’s largest e-commerce firm – to lend directly, a more lucrative model for the group.

Walmart currently holds over 80 per cent stake in Flipkart. It had bought a majority stake in the ecommerce platform back in 2018. In April this year, IPO-bound Flipkart had shared its intention to relocate its holding company from Singapore to India, a strategic decision that the homegrown e-commerce firm said reflects “deep and unwavering commitment to India and its remarkable growth”.

“We are inspired by the Government of India’s strong vision and proactive initiatives in fostering a thriving business environment and ease of doing business, which have significantly shaped our journey. This move represents a natural evolution, aligning our holding structure with our core operations, the vast potential of the Indian economy and our technology and innovation-driven capabilities to foster digital transformation in India,” a Flipkart spokesperson had said in April.

The central bank issued its certificate of registration – a document that officially recognizes a company as an NBFC – to Flipkart Finance Private Limited on March 13. A final decision on the launch will be subject to the completion of various internal processes such as the appointment of key management personnel and board members and the finalisation of business plans, the source said.

According to Reuters, Flipkart plans to lend directly to its customers on its popular e-commerce platform and through its fintech app super.money. It may also offer financing to sellers on the platform. At present, the e-commerce giant offers personal loans to customers through tie-ups with lenders such as Axis Bank, IDFC Bank and Credit Saison.

Flipkart, last valued at $37 billion in 2024 when it raised $1 billion in a funding round led by Walmart, is shifting its holding company from Singapore to India. Walmart also aims to take the 17-year-old company public.

Walmart bought a controlling stake in Flipkart in 2018, which also gave it ownership of PhonePe, a fintech firm also preparing for an IPO. Earlier this year Flipkart’s rival Amazon acquired a Bengaluru-based non-bank lender Axio, but the deal is yet to be cleared by the central bank.

News Credits- mint

Lululemon cut its profit forecast for the year, hurt by higher costs to mitigate U.S. tariffs and as tepid demand for its latest products failed to draw away buyers from upstart athleisure rivals such as Vuori.

Lululemon Athletica’s (LULU.O), shares slumped 22% in trading after the bell on Thursday.

“We experienced lower store traffic in the Americas, partially reflective of economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, lower consumer confidence, and changes in discretionary spending,” Lululemon said in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s chaotic global tariffs have fanned fears that the economy is headed for stagflation, pushing even wealthier shoppers to prioritize essential purchases.

Companies are diversifying sourcing and increasing prices to mitigate any hit from tariffs, which are expected to shrink margins.

“We are planning to take strategic price increases … on a small portion of our assortment, and they will be modest in nature,” Lululemon’s finance chief Meghan Frank said.

The company will also negotiate with vendors and cut costs, Lululemon said in a filing.
In 2024, 40% of Lululemon’s products were manufactured in Vietnam, and 28% of its fabrics were sourced from mainland China.

The company now expects annual profit between $14.58 and $14.78 per share, compared with previous expectations of $14.95 to $15.15 each.

Lululemon also forecast second-quarter profit below an average estimate from LSEG. Its revenue forecast of between $2.54 billion and $2.56 billion was largely in line.

“Lululemon also hasn’t had a lot of huge hit products recently that are having some effect,” said Morningstar analyst David Swartz.

It introduced new apparel franchises for men and women — including the Glow Up activewear collection and its new lifestyle trousers Daydrift — but those have done little to boost sales.

“Lululemon has a history of beating numbers, so even when Lululemon doesn’t raise estimates, that’s considered to be kind of a disappointment,” Swartz added.

Author Credits- Ananya Mariam Rajesh
Reuters

Nykaa Fashion has onboarded Bollywood actors Ishaan Khatter and Shanaya Kapoor as its new brand ambassadors.

With this collaboration, Nykaa Fashion aims to highlight its offerings through Khatter and Kapoor who will bring their individual fashion perspectives to the platform.

Ishaan Khatter and Shanaya Kapoor will contribute to Nykaa Fashion’s messaging through their individual styling approaches.

Commenting on the association, Adwaita Nayar, executive director CEO of Nykaa Fashion in a statement said, “Shanaya and Ishaan are the perfect voices for this generation, unafraid to experiment, authentic in their choices, and always pushing the boundaries of personal style. With them on board, we’re dialling up a fashion conversation that’s bold, inclusive, and rooted in self-expression, just like our community.”

Ishaan Khatter added, “Being part of a platform where one can find pieces that speak to them and make it easy and accessible to dress for the occasion is exciting. I’m happy to be the face for Nykaa fashion and hope for the platform to grow even further through our collaboration together.”

Nykaa Fashion is one of the fastest-growing fashion platforms in India with over 3200 brands across women, men, kids, luxe, and home categories.

Author Credits- Maverick Martins
FASHION NETWORK

According to DHL eCommerce’s latest trend report published on June 4, 70% of global consumers expect to shop primarily through social media by 2030 and desire AI-driven shopping tools to help guide their buying decisions.

The E-Commerce Trends Report 2025, which draws on insights from 24,000 online shoppers across 24 key global markets, also reveals the importance of getting delivery and sustainability right.

“It’s important to recognize that there isn’t just one type of online shopper or one type of market,” said Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce. “The reasons for cart abandonment can vary widely. Our E-Commerce Trends Report analyzes the trends and developments shaping online shopping worldwide, to help our customers grow their businesses.

“Logistics plays a crucial role in this process, and we see ourselves as a vital partner, offering our customers relevant insights, expertise and solutions to drive their success.”

Shopping powered by AI

The trend report reveals that AI is one of the most highly anticipated and demanded innovations among consumers, with seven in 10 shoppers globally wanting retailers to offer AI-powered shopping features. Virtual try-ons, AI-powered shopping assistants and voice-enabled product search top the list of features consumers actively want to use. The report also shows shopping via voice commands is on the rise, with 37% of global shoppers – and nearly half of social commerce users – making purchases hands-free.

Social commerce growth

According to the report, traditional e-commerce websites are being replaced, or bypassed, by social platforms, with consumers turning to apps like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook for both discovery and purchase. The report reveals that seven in 10 shoppers have already made a purchase via social media, and that same proportion expects these platforms to become their primary shopping destination by 2030.

The power of influence also plays a critical role: 82% of shoppers said viral trends and social buzz influence their buying decisions.

TikTok in particular is driving change in markets such as Thailand, where 86% of online shoppers report buying through the app, and globally among Gen Z, where almost 50% are already using the platform to purchase.

According to DHL, this shift signals a major transformation in how and where brands need to engage with their audiences, and calls for seamless, mobile-native experiences built for in-app conversion.

Delivery and returns

While new technologies continue to transform the digital shopping experience, it’s the fundamentals of delivery and returns that remain the biggest drivers of cart abandonment, according to the report.

Shoppers aren’t willing to compromise when it comes to convenience, flexibility and control, with 81% of consumers abandoning their purchase if their preferred delivery option isn’t available. Just as critically, 79% said they would leave if the return process didn’t match their expectations.

Trust also plays a major role, with three out of four shoppers reporting they will not buy from a retailer if they don’t trust the delivery and returns provider.

Sustainability and the circular economy

According to the report, sustainability has evolved from a brand differentiator into a core consumer demand, with 72% of shoppers globally considering sustainability when making online purchases. For many, this goes beyond packaging or shipping – one in three shoppers have abandoned their carts due to sustainability concerns. Among Gen Z, this figure spikes to nearly one in two, the report showed.

Consumers are also embracing more circular models of consumption, with over half opting for pre-owned or refurbished goods, motivated by environmental values and cost-efficiency. Additionally, 58% of shoppers express a willingness to participate in recycling or buy-back programs offered by retailers.

Author Credits- HAZEL KING
Parcel and Postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Kimberly-Clark (KMB.O), is nearing a sale of its Kleenex and tissue businesses outside of North America for around $3.5 billion to Brazilian pulpmaker Suzano (SUZB3.SA), opens new tab, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

A deal could be completed as soon as Thursday, the report said on Wednesday.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. Kimberly-Clark and Suzano did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

Reuters had reported in April citing people with knowledge of the matter that along with Suzano, Southeast Asia’s Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) and Asia Pulp & Paper Co (APP) were the final bidders for Kimberly-Clark’s international tissue business, valued at around $4 billion.

The unit, which was put on the block by Kimberly-Clark as part of a restructuring initiated last year, generates around $500 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).

The sale is proceeding as U.S. President Donald Trump’s broad trade tariffs weigh on Kimberly-Clark’s business outlook. The consumer goods company slashed its annual profit forecast due to increased costs in April as a result of the tariffs.

In 2022, Suzano announced a deal to buy the Irving, Texas-headquartered company’s tissue paper operations in Brazil for an undisclosed sum.

News Credits- Reuters

Meesho expands personal care segment by onboarding HUL, P&G, and Himalaya to boost Meesho Mall. With rising demand in smaller cities, the platform offers branded products like Dove, Pampers, and Vaseline. Meesho eyes $10B IPO amid rapid growth in GMV, users, and non-metro market reach.

E-commerce platform Meesho is focusing on increasing its presence in the personal care category and has onboarded leading FMCG companies Procter & Gamble (P&G), Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Himalaya, the company said in an announcement on Wednesday.

The move is a part of the company’s effort to expand Meesho Mall, its branded products vertical.

The announcement comes at a time when the demand for such products is rising across the smaller cities, which are typically considered more price-sensitive.

These partnerships mark a shift in the platform’s strategy of positioning itself as a low-cost e-commerce platform, with a focus on unbranded products.

The expanded assortment brings well-known brands like Pampers, Gillette, Dove, Pantene, Vaseline and Head & Shoulders to a much larger base of consumers.

“Shoppers are turning to personal care brands for their everyday essentials — from face wash and lipstick to baby diapers and sanitary pads. Meesho Mall is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand with a wide selection of reliable, high-quality brands,” the announcement said.

According to brokerage firm CLSA, Meesho has reached a gross merchandise value (GMV) run rate of $6.2 billion for FY25, making it the third-largest e-commerce platform in the country.

By order volume, it commands the largest share of 37% of the e-commerce market.

With 4.9 million daily orders and 180 million monthly active users (MAUs), the platform now leads in order volume and user engagement metrics. Its average order value (AOV), however, remains low as compared to Amazon and Flipkart, at Rs 315–Rs 350.

The report pegs Meesho’s GMV and revenue to grow at a 26% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next six years, driven by deepening e-commerce penetration in non-metro markets.

Meesho is planning to go public later this year and is looking at a potential valuation of $10 billion.

Author Credits- Raghav Aggarwal
FINANCIAL EXPRESS