Scaling Fashion & Lifestyle Business Profitably

The session at IFF brought some of the successful leaders to share strategies to build scale, profitability and differentiation, while balancing short-term results with long-term investments in innovation, sustainability and customer experience.

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Scaling is a fundamental aspect of retail, allowing businesses to unlock economies of scale, create barriers for competitors, and cater to a wider or deeper range of market segments. However, it comes with its own set of challenges, from navigating cultural and regional diversity to managing high capital investments and staying ahead in an ever-evolving market. With constant disruptions from technology and changing consumer preferences, especially in fashion, it's crucial to stay innovative and adaptive.

The session 'Scaling Fashion & Lifestyle Business Profitably' at the India Fashion Forum 2025, explored these challenges, share experiences, and discuss key strategies to build and scale a successful fashion business. It also brought some of the successful leaders to share strategies to build scale, profitability and differentiation, while balancing short-term results with long-term investments in innovation, sustainability and customer experience.

The session was moderated by Ramanathan Hariharan, Former Director & Board Member, Landmark Group. The other speakers in the panel were:

• Kumar Nitesh, CEO, Ajio Business & Footwear Business, Reliance Retail

• Kavindra Mishra, MD & CEO, Shoppers Stop Ltd.

• Rakesh Tiruveedhula, Director, RS Brothers & RS Jewellers

Embracing Innovation to Stay Ahead

Ramanathan Hariharan kicked off the session by highlighting the crucial role of integrating technology and online retail in the future. Highlighting Shoppers Stop, he probed the brand on how they have adapted to the evolving market landscape while embracing innovation to stay ahead.