{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"Qhaat — Today in Indian Retail","home_page_url":"https://qhaat.com","feed_url":"https://qhaat.com/feed.json","description":"Qhaat is India's daily commerce desk: retail, ecommerce, quick commerce, supply chain, UPI payments, marketplaces and SaaS news from India, with a point of view. Filed every morning from New Delhi.","language":"en-IN","icon":"https://qhaat.com/og.jpg","favicon":"https://qhaat.com/favicon.svg","items":[{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/value-retail-s-festive-tightrope-looks-thinner-this-year-1007-1","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/value-retail-s-festive-tightrope-looks-thinner-this-year-1007-1","title":"Value retail’s festive tightrope looks thinner this year","summary":"Inflation absorption and quick-commerce frequency are testing the old low-price promise just as footfall peaks.","content_text":"DMart, V2 Retail and peers posted solid revenue growth in the September quarter yet watched their stocks slide. Avenue Supermarts fell 6.67 per cent, V2 plunged over 16 per cent after cutting same-store guidance to 5-7 per cent. The festive calendar shift only partly explains the caution; higher yarn, packaging and freight costs are being absorbed to protect the value tag.","date_published":"2026-10-07T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["retail","opinion","value retail","DMart","V2 Retail","inflation","quick commerce","festive"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-07-05?v=muxdhpfo"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-adds-14-stores-to-338-clocks-strong-q2-growth-ahead-of-festive","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-adds-14-stores-to-338-clocks-strong-q2-growth-ahead-of-festive","title":"Nykaa adds 14 stores to 338, clocks strong Q2 growth ahead of festive","summary":"Beauty and fashion both beat estimates; House of Nykaa brands and Nike drops keep the till busy while SuperStore scales.","content_text":"FSN E-Commerce Ventures indicated consolidated GMV growth around 30 per cent year-on-year for the September quarter, with NSV in the early 30s and net revenue in the late 20s. Nykaa added 14 stores, taking the total to 338 as of 30 September. Beauty and personal care grew in the high 20s; fashion NSV is expected in the high 40s.","date_published":"2026-10-07T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Nykaa","FSN","beauty","fashion","store expansion","D2C"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-07-04?v=muxdhkzf"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-retail-exits-7-eleven-after-five-years-shuts-nearly-60-stores","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-retail-exits-7-eleven-after-five-years-shuts-nearly-60-stores","title":"Reliance Retail exits 7-Eleven after five years, shuts nearly 60 stores","summary":"Convenience format posted ₹90 crore loss on ₹92 crore revenue; kiranas and quick commerce left no room for the middle.","content_text":"Reliance Retail and 7-Eleven are ending their five-year franchise partnership in India. Most of the nearly 60 convenience stores are shutting after the format failed to turn profitable. The 7-India Convenience Retail venture reported revenue of about ₹92 crore and a net loss of nearly ₹90 crore for the year ended March 2026. Remaining outlets closed by end-September.","date_published":"2026-10-07T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Reliance Retail","7-Eleven","convenience","exit","quick commerce"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-07-03?v=muxdhgvm"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-lifts-store-count-to-518-as-q2-revenue-rises-18-4-to-19-206-crore","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-lifts-store-count-to-518-as-q2-revenue-rises-18-4-to-19-206-crore","title":"DMart lifts store count to 518 as Q2 revenue rises 18.4% to ₹19,206 crore","summary":"Strong top line failed to calm investors worried about same-store growth and quick-commerce leakage; shares fell over 6%.","content_text":"Avenue Supermarts Ltd reported standalone revenue of ₹19,206.18 crore for the September quarter, up 18.4 per cent year-on-year and 4.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter. Store count rose to 518. Shares still fell 6.67 per cent on Monday as markets fretted over consumer caution and inflation absorption.","date_published":"2026-10-07T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","DMart","Avenue Supermarts","value retail","store expansion","pricing"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-07-02?v=muxdhddn"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-pushes-zudio-past-1-000-stores-as-q2-revenue-hits-5-788-crore-1007-1","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-pushes-zudio-past-1-000-stores-as-q2-revenue-hits-5-788-crore-1007-1","title":"Trent pushes Zudio past 1,000 stores as Q2 revenue hits ₹5,788 crore","summary":"Value format now dominates the network; merchants watch whether ticket sizes hold as competition thickens in tier-2.","content_text":"Trent Ltd reported standalone revenue of ₹5,788 crore for the quarter ended 30 September, up 23 per cent year-on-year. The retailer opened 27 net stores across Zudio and Westside, taking the total network to 1,342. Zudio crossed the 1,000-store mark during the quarter, cementing its role as the growth engine.","date_published":"2026-10-07T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Trent","Zudio","Westside","value retail","store expansion"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-07-01?v=muxdh9hx"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/value-retail-s-festive-tightrope-looks-thinner-this-year","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/value-retail-s-festive-tightrope-looks-thinner-this-year","title":"Value retail’s festive tightrope looks thinner this year","summary":"Inflation absorption and quick-commerce frequency are testing the old low-price promise just as footfall peaks.","content_text":"DMart and peers posted decent revenue growth yet watched their stocks slip on 5 October 2026. Investors read the same numbers merchants already feel on the floor: price hikes are being swallowed, same-store momentum is uneven, and ten-minute delivery is stealing the top-up trip.","date_published":"2026-10-06T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["retail","opinion","value retail","DMart","Trent","inflation","quick commerce","festive"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-06-05?v=muvy1x0s"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/tommy-hilfiger-launches-dedicated-india-d2c-website","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/tommy-hilfiger-launches-dedicated-india-d2c-website","title":"Tommy Hilfiger launches dedicated India D2C website","summary":"in.tommy.com goes live to complement 350-plus doors and capture full-price direct demand.","content_text":"PVH Arvind Fashion launched the dedicated e-commerce site in.tommy.com for India on 5 October 2026. The platform sits alongside more than 350 retail doors, including roughly 100 standalone stores and 250 shop-in-shops. It showcases the full Fall 2026 collection and brand storytelling.","date_published":"2026-10-06T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Tommy Hilfiger","D2C","Arvind Fashions","ecommerce","premium apparel"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-06-04?v=muvy1sjy"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-brands-opens-first-fabletics-store-in-delhi","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-brands-opens-first-fabletics-store-in-delhi","title":"Reliance Brands opens first Fabletics store in Delhi","summary":"Exclusive tie-up brings RFID fitting rooms and membership model to Indian activewear shoppers.","content_text":"Fabletics opened its first India store at DLF Promenade in New Delhi through an exclusive partnership with Reliance Brands. The outlet features RFID-enabled fitting rooms and in-room tablets that show sizes and alternatives. A Mumbai store is next on the map.","date_published":"2026-10-06T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Reliance Brands","Fabletics","store opening","activewear","exclusive deal"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-06-03?v=muvy1n28"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-adds-15-stores-to-518-but-shares-slide-over-6-per-cent","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-adds-15-stores-to-518-but-shares-slide-over-6-per-cent","title":"DMart adds 15 stores to 518 but shares slide over 6 per cent","summary":"Strong top line failed to calm investors worried about same-store growth and quick-commerce leakage.","content_text":"Avenue Supermarts reported standalone revenue of ₹19,206 crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, up 18.4 per cent year-on-year and 4.7 per cent sequentially. Store count reached 518 after 15 additions. Shares still fell more than 6 per cent on 5 October as markets fretted over demand and competition.","date_published":"2026-10-06T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","DMart","Avenue Supermarts","store count","value retail","quick commerce"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-06-02?v=muvy1ih5"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-pushes-zudio-past-1-000-stores-as-q2-revenue-hits-5-788-crore","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-pushes-zudio-past-1-000-stores-as-q2-revenue-hits-5-788-crore","title":"Trent pushes Zudio past 1,000 stores as Q2 revenue hits ₹5,788 crore","summary":"Value format now dominates the network; merchants watch whether ticket sizes hold as competition thickens in tier-2.","content_text":"Trent Ltd reported standalone revenue of ₹5,788 crore for the September quarter, up 23 per cent year-on-year from ₹4,724 crore. Zudio opened its 1,000th store by 30 September 2026. The company added a net 10 Westside and 17 Zudio outlets in the quarter, taking the total lifestyle store count to 1,342.","date_published":"2026-10-06T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Trent","Zudio","Westside","store expansion","value retail"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-06-01?v=muvy1dvn"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/do-big-store-bets-still-pay-when-dark-stores-multiply","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/do-big-store-bets-still-pay-when-dark-stores-multiply","title":"Do big store bets still pay when dark stores multiply?","summary":"Listed retailers are funding aggressive offline expansion even as quick commerce densifies urban delivery. The P&L test arrives this festive season.","content_text":"Top listed retailers added a net 2,182 stores last fiscal and are raising fresh capital—Trent up to ₹2,500 crore, Avenue Supermarts up to ₹1,000 crore in NCDs—while Reliance already runs more than 700 dark stores. DMart and Nykaa just printed higher store counts alongside solid sales growth. The question is whether physical square footage still delivers returns once every neighbourhood has a 10-to-20-minute option.","date_published":"2026-10-05T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["retail","opinion","retail expansion","stores","dark stores","funding","opinion"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-05-05?v=muuim990"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-brands-opens-fabletics-store-in-delhi","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-brands-opens-fabletics-store-in-delhi","title":"Reliance Brands opens Fabletics store in Delhi","summary":"US activewear label debuts at DLF Promenade with RFID fitting rooms; Mumbai outlet planned next under exclusive pact.","content_text":"Fabletics opened its first India store at DLF Promenade in New Delhi in an exclusive partnership with Reliance Brands Limited. The outlet features RFID-enabled fitting rooms that identify products and display them on tablets for size and style requests. A Mumbai store is planned next, though no timeline was given. Reliance Brands operates 1,697 doors across India.","date_published":"2026-10-05T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Reliance Brands","Fabletics","store","activewear","Delhi"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-05-04?v=muuim32g"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-fashion-offers-six-month-zero-commission","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-fashion-offers-six-month-zero-commission","title":"Nykaa Fashion offers six-month zero commission","summary":"Hidden Gems accelerator gives homegrown apparel brands free platform access plus marketing support ahead of festive listings.","content_text":"Nykaa Fashion expanded its Hidden Gems programme on 1 October, offering high-potential Indian apparel and lifestyle brands a zero-commission model for the first six months. Participants also receive preferential visibility, marketing support, mentorship and fast-track onboarding. The focus covers Indian wear, western wear, jewellery, bags and footwear.","date_published":"2026-10-05T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Nykaa Fashion","commission","Hidden Gems","apparel","festive"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-05-03?v=muuilyim"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-adds-14-stores-to-reach-338-in-q2","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-adds-14-stores-to-reach-338-in-q2","title":"Nykaa adds 14 stores to reach 338 in Q2","summary":"Beauty-and-fashion platform guides late-twenties net revenue growth while like-for-like store sales hit a six-quarter high.","content_text":"FSN E-Commerce Ventures said consolidated net revenue growth for the September quarter is expected in the late twenties year-on-year. The company added 14 net new stores, taking the retail network to 338 as of 30 September 2026. Like-for-like store sales growth was in the early twenties, the highest in six quarters, according to the 4 October business update.","date_published":"2026-10-05T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Nykaa","FSN","stores","beauty","fashion","Q2"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-05-02?v=muuioyev"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-q2-revenue-rises-18-4-to-19-206-crore","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-q2-revenue-rises-18-4-to-19-206-crore","title":"DMart Q2 revenue rises 18.4% to ₹19,206 crore","summary":"Avenue Supermarts ends September with 518 stores as sequential sales climb 4.7%, keeping pressure on kirana margins in its core markets.","content_text":"Avenue Supermarts reported standalone revenue from operations of ₹19,206.18 crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, up 18.4% year-on-year from ₹16,218.79 crore. The DMart operator closed the period with 518 stores, including one under reconstruction in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. Sequential revenue rose 4.7% from the June quarter’s ₹18,343.49 crore, per the regulatory update filed over the weekend.","date_published":"2026-10-05T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","DMart","Avenue Supermarts","retail","stores","Q2"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-05-01?v=muuiltpj"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/why-value-fashion-still-beats-premium-this-festive","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/why-value-fashion-still-beats-premium-this-festive","title":"Why value fashion still beats premium this festive","summary":"Zudio-style volume keeps winning while department stores chase margin; the till tells the story.","content_text":"Trent’s Zudio has scaled past 1,000 stores on sub-₹999 tickets and weekly drops while peers push premiumisation. Nine-month numbers show Trent growing faster than most department-store groups even as Reliance and Shoppers Stop talk curated assortments.","date_published":"2026-10-04T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["retail","opinion","Zudio","Trent","value fashion","premiumisation","festive"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-04-05?v=mut36gnz"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/bofa-starts-trent-coverage-at-buy-with-3-075-target","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/bofa-starts-trent-coverage-at-buy-with-3-075-target","title":"BofA starts Trent coverage at Buy with ₹3,075 target","summary":"Zudio and Westside growth plus supply chain cited; value fashion keeps taking share.","content_text":"BofA Securities on 30 September initiated coverage on Trent with a Buy rating and ₹3,075 price target. The note flagged the differentiated retail model, Zudio and Westside expansion, integrated technology and supply-chain strength as long-term market-share drivers.","date_published":"2026-10-04T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Trent","Zudio","Westside","BofA","coverage"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-04-04?v=mut36ayj"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/lenskart-adds-french-brand-le-petit-lunetier-to-50-stores","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/lenskart-adds-french-brand-le-petit-lunetier-to-50-stores","title":"Lenskart adds French brand Le Petit Lunetier to 50 stores","summary":"First international label lands in owned doors and online; premium frames get fresh shelf space.","content_text":"Lenskart will introduce French eyewear brand Le Petit Lunetier across 50 of its stores and on its website, marking the first international brand in its portfolio. The move follows Neso Brands’ earlier stake purchase in the label for ₹33 crore.","date_published":"2026-10-04T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Lenskart","Le Petit Lunetier","brand","stores","premium"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-04-03?v=mut3664s"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/lenskart-sets-31-october-ipo-eyes-2-150-cr-raise","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/lenskart-sets-31-october-ipo-eyes-2-150-cr-raise","title":"Lenskart sets 31 October IPO, eyes ₹2,150 cr raise","summary":"Pre-IPO cheques from Damani family and SBI MF lock valuation path; store and tech spend next.","content_text":"Lenskart will open its IPO on 31 October to raise about ₹2,150 crore via fresh issue and offer for sale, with listing targeted around 10 November. Pre-IPO money already includes roughly ₹90 crore from the Damani family and ₹100 crore from SBI Mutual Fund.","date_published":"2026-10-04T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Lenskart","IPO","pre-IPO","Damani","eyewear"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-04-02?v=mut361x6"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-lifts-q2-revenue-18-to-19-206-cr-stores-hit-518","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/dmart-lifts-q2-revenue-18-to-19-206-cr-stores-hit-518","title":"DMart lifts Q2 revenue 18% to ₹19,206 cr, stores hit 518","summary":"Everyday low price holds volume as full results land 10 October; kiranas watch the till gap widen.","content_text":"Avenue Supermarts on 3 October reported standalone revenue from operations of ₹19,206.18 crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, up 18.4 per cent from ₹16,218.79 crore a year earlier and 4.7 per cent sequentially. Store count stood at 518, including the Sanpada unit under reconstruction.","date_published":"2026-10-04T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","DMart","Avenue Supermarts","stores","revenue","EDLP"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-04-01?v=mut35wo4"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/will-private-label-department-stores-outrun-value-fashion-this-festive","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/will-private-label-department-stores-outrun-value-fashion-this-festive","title":"Will private-label department stores outrun value fashion this festive?","summary":"Trent’s Westside bet and Nykaa’s fee waiver both point to the same shopper: one who wants curated product without endless discounting.","content_text":"Two moves this week crystallise the festive choice for Indian retail. Trent is writing a ₹2,500 crore cheque to multiply Westside’s private-label boxes. Nykaa is waiving six months of commission so homegrown labels can breathe. Both are bets against pure price wars.","date_published":"2026-10-03T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["retail","opinion","opinion","private label","Westside","Nykaa","festive","premiumisation"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-03-05?v=murnq5um"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/d2c-food-brands-widen-offline-trade-as-quick-commerce-shelves-fill","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/d2c-food-brands-widen-offline-trade-as-quick-commerce-shelves-fill","title":"D2C food brands widen offline trade as quick-commerce shelves fill","summary":"Dark-store space crunch before festive forces snacks and sweets makers onto B2B marketplaces and kirana-modern trade routes.","content_text":"Direct-to-consumer food brands are expanding general and modern trade presence after quick-commerce platforms limited new-launch space ahead of the festive season. Companies such as WellBe, Khetika and Lal Sweets are using B2B marketplaces to reach neighbourhood stores and supermarkets. General trade still holds 76 per cent of packaged-food sales.","date_published":"2026-10-03T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Farhan Qureshi"}],"tags":["supply-chain","news","D2C","quick commerce","offline","B2B","festive","food"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-03-04?v=murnq0s5"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/ace-turtle-seals-24-g-star-shop-in-shops-with-shoppers-stop","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/ace-turtle-seals-24-g-star-shop-in-shops-with-shoppers-stop","title":"Ace Turtle seals 24 G-Star shop-in-shops with Shoppers Stop","summary":"Exclusive licensee rolls out SIS across metros and regional cities to grab footfall without waiting for standalone stores.","content_text":"Ace Turtle, exclusive licensee for G-Star in India, is partnering Shoppers Stop to open 24 shop-in-shops in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Siliguri and Pune. The deal gives the denim brand instant access to department-store traffic. Standalone stores are planned later, targeting about 15 over five years.","date_published":"2026-10-03T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Shoppers Stop","G-Star","Ace Turtle","shop-in-shop","deals"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-03-03?v=murnpwff"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-fashion-offers-six-month-zero-commission-to-apparel-brands","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-fashion-offers-six-month-zero-commission-to-apparel-brands","title":"Nykaa Fashion offers six-month zero commission to apparel brands","summary":"Hidden Gems accelerator waives fees for homegrown labels so they can fund inventory and ads instead of platform take-rates before festive rush.","content_text":"Nykaa Fashion on 1 October expanded its Hidden Gems programme with a six-month zero-commission model for selected apparel and lifestyle brands. The accelerator targets high-potential Indian wear, western wear, jewellery, bags and footwear labels. Participants also get preferential visibility, marketing support, mentorship and fast-track onboarding ahead of the festive season.","date_published":"2026-10-03T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Nykaa","fashion","zero commission","Hidden Gems","festive"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-03-02?v=murnps24"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-bets-2-500-cr-to-add-100-westside-stores-a-year","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-bets-2-500-cr-to-add-100-westside-stores-a-year","title":"Trent bets ₹2,500 cr to add 100 Westside stores a year","summary":"Tata retailer shifts capital to mid-premium private-label format as value fashion crowds up and margins matter more on the floor.","content_text":"Trent Ltd will expand Westside by as many as 100 stores annually, backed by a board-approved ₹2,500 crore raise, a sharp jump from the earlier 10-15 openings a year. The push comes as the network already tops 1,300 stores and Zudio sits near 982 outlets. Management is balancing the value engine with higher-margin department stores ahead of the festive window.","date_published":"2026-10-03T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Trent","Westside","Zudio","store expansion","private label"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-03-01?v=murnpmg1"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/why-tier-2-festive-growth-now-decides-marketplace-winners","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/why-tier-2-festive-growth-now-decides-marketplace-winners","title":"Why Tier-2 festive growth now decides marketplace winners","summary":"Homegrown labels already clock 60 per cent jumps in smaller towns; the next two weeks will separate platforms that can fulfil from those that only promise.","content_text":"Homegrown brands on Flipkart are recording 60 per cent growth across Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets this festive build-up, with the beauty and general merchandise category itself up nearly 50 per cent year-on-year. Kapiva says 66 per cent of its Flipkart sales already come from Tier-3 cities. Big Billion Days opens 8 October; the same towns Amazon Now just entered will decide who keeps the incremental basket.","date_published":"2026-10-02T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["platforms","opinion","Flipkart","homegrown brands","Tier-2","festive","platforms","opinion"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-02-05?v=muq8awc4"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/flipkart-ekart-adds-14-million-cu-ft-storage-and-900-hubs","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/flipkart-ekart-adds-14-million-cu-ft-storage-and-900-hubs","title":"Flipkart Ekart adds 14 million cu ft storage and 900 hubs","summary":"Warehousing capacity jumps 50 per cent and last-mile reach widens for Big Billion Days and remote same-day.","content_text":"Flipkart’s logistics arm Ekart has added 14 million cubic feet of warehousing space, lifting storage capacity 50 per cent, and opened more than 900 additional delivery hubs. The build-out prepares for Big Billion Days in October and aims to push same-day and next-day delivery deeper into remote regions including first-time coverage in places such as Leh and Kargil.","date_published":"2026-10-02T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Farhan Qureshi"}],"tags":["supply-chain","news","Flipkart","Ekart","supply chain","warehousing","Big Billion Days","logistics"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-02-04?v=muq8as9i"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/zudio-opens-23-000-sq-ft-maiden-store-at-gurugram-m2k","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/zudio-opens-23-000-sq-ft-maiden-store-at-gurugram-m2k","title":"Zudio opens 23,000 sq ft maiden store at Gurugram M2K","summary":"Two-floor value-fashion box anchors new corporate park retail, testing denser NCR catchments.","content_text":"Zudio has opened a 23,000 sq ft two-floor store at M2K Corporate Park in Sector 51, Gurugram. The outlet is the first major apparel anchor at the complex and marks a large-format test for the value chain in a mixed office-retail hub. It adds to a network that has already crossed or is approaching the 1,000-store mark across 300-plus cities.","date_published":"2026-10-02T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Zudio","Trent","store opening","Gurugram","value fashion","retail"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-02-03?v=muq8ao37"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-bets-2-500-cr-to-open-100-westside-stores-yearly","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/trent-bets-2-500-cr-to-open-100-westside-stores-yearly","title":"Trent bets ₹2,500 cr to open 100 Westside stores yearly","summary":"Mid-premium format accelerates from 10-15 openings a year as Zudio faces crowded value aisles.","content_text":"Trent Ltd will open as many as 100 Westside stores a year, funded by a board-approved ₹2,500 crore raise. The shift marks a sharp change from the earlier pace of 10 to 15 outlets annually. Westside currently runs roughly 300 stores across 97 cities; the plan targets deeper metro penetration plus Tier-2 and Northeast markets.","date_published":"2026-10-02T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Trent","Westside","Zudio","store expansion","retail","Tata"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-02-02?v=muq8ak0s"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/amazon-now-doubles-to-over-120-cities-in-two-weeks","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/amazon-now-doubles-to-over-120-cities-in-two-weeks","title":"Amazon Now doubles to over 120 cities in two weeks","summary":"Minute-level drops reach Amritsar Jalandhar Vizag Kochi just as Great Indian Festival opens 8 October.","content_text":"Amazon has expanded its ultra-fast Amazon Now service to more than 120 cities, doubling the footprint in two weeks. New markets include Amritsar, Abohar, Jalandhar, Ambala, Mangalore, Manipal, Vizag, Kochi, Bhubaneswar and Karwar. The push lands days before the Great Indian Festival starts on 8 October, when deals will run on the same minute-delivery rails.","date_published":"2026-10-02T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Amazon","Amazon Now","quick commerce","festive","ecommerce"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-02-01?v=muq8afow"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/why-dark-store-maths-now-favour-discipline-over-pure-discount","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/why-dark-store-maths-now-favour-discipline-over-pure-discount","title":"Why dark-store maths now favour discipline over pure discount","summary":"Amazon’s cheque and Flipkart’s PIN grab arrive just as Blinkit and peers cut promo intensity.","content_text":"Bernstein and others note quick-commerce players are dialling back blanket discounts while Amazon and Flipkart race toward the 1,000-store mark. Blinkit already holds roughly half the volume and has shown EBITDA break-even signals. The next 12 months will test whether density and membership models can replace cash-burn growth.","date_published":"2026-10-01T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["ecommerce","opinion","quick commerce","Blinkit","Amazon","Flipkart","margins","opinion"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-01-05?v=muosuqum"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/itc-seals-full-yoga-bar-ownership-with-645-crore-buyout","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/itc-seals-full-yoga-bar-ownership-with-645-crore-buyout","title":"ITC seals full Yoga Bar ownership with ₹645 crore buyout","summary":"Remaining 52.5 percent stake gives the FMCG giant complete control of the clean-label nutrition brand ahead of festive health push.","content_text":"ITC acquired the remaining 52.5 percent stake in Sproutlife Foods for approximately ₹645 crore on 30 September, taking full ownership of the Yoga Bar brand. The deal follows earlier investment and comes as clean-label and protein snacks show strong growth. ITC now fully steers distribution, innovation and retail placement.","date_published":"2026-10-01T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","ITC","Yoga Bar","acquisition","nutrition","FMCG"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-01-04?v=muosulsd"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/amazon-bets-3-billion-on-india-quick-commerce-dark-stores","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/amazon-bets-3-billion-on-india-quick-commerce-dark-stores","title":"Amazon bets $3 billion on India quick commerce dark stores","summary":"Plan lifts Amazon Now from roughly 750 stores toward 1,300 by April and targets daily essentials share now at 6.2 percent.","content_text":"Amazon will invest $3 billion in its India quick-commerce business by 2030, with $1 billion by end-2027, sources said in late September. The money expands Amazon Now dark stores from about 750 to around 1,300 by April next year and funds AI demand tools plus inventory software. Current market share sits near 6.2 percent against Blinkit-led leaders.","date_published":"2026-10-01T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Amazon","quick commerce","dark stores","Amazon Now","investment"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-01-03?v=muosuh86"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/flipkart-adds-750-pin-codes-and-14-million-cu-ft-via-ekart","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/flipkart-adds-750-pin-codes-and-14-million-cu-ft-via-ekart","title":"Flipkart adds 750 PIN codes and 14 million cu ft via Ekart","summary":"Logistics arm lifts national storage 50 percent and peak processing over 30 percent ahead of Big Billion Days.","content_text":"Flipkart’s Ekart expanded warehousing by 14 million cubic feet and extended delivery to more than 750 new PIN codes in late September. Overall storage capacity rose 50 percent nationwide while automation lifted peak processing capacity by more than 30 percent. The move prepares the network for the festive season and Big Billion Days.","date_published":"2026-10-01T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Farhan Qureshi"}],"tags":["supply-chain","news","Flipkart","Ekart","logistics","PIN codes","festive"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-01-02?v=muosuc63"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/fabletics-opens-first-india-store-with-reliance-brands-in-delhi","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/fabletics-opens-first-india-store-with-reliance-brands-in-delhi","title":"Fabletics opens first India store with Reliance Brands in Delhi","summary":"Tech-led activewear door at DLF Promenade puts Reliance deeper into athleisure just as festive gym traffic rises.","content_text":"Fabletics opened its first India store at DLF Promenade in New Delhi on 29-30 September in exclusive partnership with Reliance Brands. The format features RFID-enabled fitting rooms that auto-identify garments and suggest sizes via in-room tablets. A Mumbai store is next. The range covers men’s and women’s leggings, bras, joggers and accessories aimed at performance-to-street wear.","date_published":"2026-10-01T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Fabletics","Reliance Brands","activewear","store opening","Delhi"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-10-01-01?v=muosu673"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/value-fashion-keeps-winning-while-premium-defends-margins","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/value-fashion-keeps-winning-while-premium-defends-margins","title":"Value fashion keeps winning while premium defends margins","summary":"Zudio-style sub-₹999 weekly drops force department stores and mid-tier brands to choose volume or ticket size before the festive rush.","content_text":"Trent’s Zudio continues to post mid-teens growth on sub-₹999 pricing and rapid inventory turns, while Reliance Retail and Shoppers Stop lean on premiumisation to protect margins, according to 29 September sector snapshots. The split is now the central tension on the Indian shop floor.","date_published":"2026-09-30T00:45:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"The Desk"}],"tags":["retail","opinion","Zudio","Trent","value fashion","premiumisation","pricing","retail"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-09-30-05?v=muncnqvr"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/zepto-cafe-cuts-footprint-to-250-350-sites-after-peak-0930-1","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/zepto-cafe-cuts-footprint-to-250-350-sites-after-peak-0930-1","title":"Zepto Cafe cuts footprint to 250-350 sites after peak","summary":"Quick-commerce player scales back from 850-900 locations to focus on high-performing cities and tighter menus, easing dark-store cost pressure.","content_text":"Zepto has cut its Cafe footprint to a targeted 250-350 sites from a peak of 850-900, according to 29 September 2026 reports. The move prioritises high-performing cities and streamlined menus after rapid earlier expansion.","date_published":"2026-09-30T00:44:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Zepto","Cafe","quick commerce","dark stores","footprint cut"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-09-30-04?v=muncnm4w"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/lenskart-sees-2-391-crore-block-deal-as-investor-exits-2-0930-1","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/lenskart-sees-2-391-crore-block-deal-as-investor-exits-2-0930-1","title":"Lenskart sees ₹2,391 crore block deal as investor exits 2%","summary":"Secondary sale signals continued private-market interest even as the eyewear chain keeps adding stores in tier-2 cities.","content_text":"Lenskart recorded a ₹2,391 crore block deal on 29 September 2026 in which Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust sold a roughly 2 per cent stake. The secondary transaction underscores ongoing investor appetite for the eyewear retailer despite earlier exits by other funds.","date_published":"2026-09-30T00:43:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Lenskart","block deal","eyewear","investor exit","retail"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-09-30-03?v=muncne22"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-posts-7-374-crore-9m-revenue-on-25-growth","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/nykaa-posts-7-374-crore-9m-revenue-on-25-growth","title":"Nykaa posts ₹7,374 crore 9M revenue on 25% growth","summary":"One Nykaa model with owned brands drives the print, putting pressure on pure D2C beauty sellers and offline counters ahead of festive GMV.","content_text":"FSN E-Commerce Ventures, parent of Nykaa, reported 9M FY26 revenue of ₹7,374 crore, up 25 per cent, according to the 28-29 September 2026 updates. The growth came from beauty GMV, owned brands and the integrated One Nykaa approach across platforms and offline.","date_published":"2026-09-30T00:42:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Ananya Rao"}],"tags":["ecommerce","news","Nykaa","FSN","beauty","revenue","owned brands","ecommerce"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-09-30-02?v=muncn9ki"},{"id":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-retail-seals-exclusive-fabletics-india-pact","url":"https://qhaat.com/story/reliance-retail-seals-exclusive-fabletics-india-pact","title":"Reliance Retail seals exclusive Fabletics India pact","summary":"US athleisure brand joins the premium portfolio, giving merchants another membership-led activewear line just as festive athleisure demand lifts.","content_text":"Reliance Retail has formalised an exclusive partnership with US athleisure brand Fabletics, adding the Kate Hudson-co-founded label to its premium fashion roster. The deal, confirmed in FY26 disclosures and reported on 29 September 2026, leverages Reliance’s network of more than 18,000 stores and digital channels to launch the membership model in India.","date_published":"2026-09-30T00:41:00.000Z","authors":[{"name":"Meera Iyer"}],"tags":["retail","news","Reliance Retail","Fabletics","athleisure","exclusive deal","premium fashion"],"image":"https://qhaat.com/api/covers/auto-2026-09-30-01?v=muncn4is"}]}