Brands
UNIQLO Unveils India plans – announces 3 stores in Delhi area, with the first to open in october
MUMBAI: UNIQLO, the Japanese global apparel retailer, today announces the strategic rollout plan for its introduction in India this fall. Given the size and fast growth of the Indian market, the launch will for the first time involve three separate stores, to be able to offer LifeWear to as many people as possible. The first of three UNIQLO stores will open in October in New Delhi.
"We are committed to the Indian market and are very excited to be launching our first three stores in Delhi, a region that embraces diversity and culture, from art and design to craftmanship and fashion,” said Tadashi Yanai, UNIQLO Founder and Chairman, President & CEO, Fast Retailing. “The opening of our first store, UNIQLO Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, followed by a second and third store a little later, represents a significant step in our company's global strategy. We look forward to offering our high-quality, affordable LifeWear apparel to the people of India,” he added.
LifeWear is the UNIQLO commitment to creating perfect clothing that meets the needs of everyone’s daily lifestyles. High-quality, highly functional, affordable and constantly evolving, LifeWear is inspired by life’s needs to provide thoughtful and timeless clothing available in a variety of colours and styles for people of all ages.
The first UNIQLO store will be located at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, one of the most popular shopping districts of the Delhi metropolitan area. UNIQLO Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj measures close to 35,000 square feet in total sales area on three levels and will feature prominent store-front branding through UNIQLO’s unique red colour. The full range of LifeWear will be available for men, women, kids and babies, including the popular line of UTs (UNIQLO T-shirts).
The second and third UNIQLO stores will be located at DLF Place Saket, a newly renovated shopping destination set to reopen in Fall, and DLF CyberHub, the heart of the millennial city of Gurugram, respectively. Each of the two sites will be sized to offer the full range of LifeWear for men, women, kids and babies.
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65 per cent women start credit early, 76 per cent show confidence: mPokket survey
mPokket survey highlights rising financial independence and purposeful borrowing
NEW DELHI: A quiet financial shift is underway across India, and women are at the centre of it. A new survey by mPokket suggests that young Indian women are entering the credit system earlier, with greater confidence and a sharper sense of purpose than ever before.
Based on responses from 10,000 women across the country, the study finds that more than 65 per cent took their first loan before turning 30. Far from hesitation, confidence appears to be the norm, with nearly 76 per cent saying they felt assured when taking that first step into formal borrowing.
The findings point to more than just access. They reflect a broader shift in financial independence. Nearly 79 per cent of respondents believe women today are more financially empowered than the previous generation, a view supported by rising workforce participation and easier access to digital finance tools.
What stands out is the diversity of borrowers. While 48.6 per cent of respondents are salaried, close to 40 per cent are self-employed, running small businesses or working independently. This signals that credit is no longer limited to traditional employment structures but is reaching India’s expanding micro-economy, including gig workers and entrepreneurs.
The intent behind borrowing also tells a story. For 41.6 per cent, loans are a safety net for emergencies. Another 20.8 per cent use credit to support their families, while 15.7 per cent borrow for education or skill development. In short, borrowing is less about impulse and more about planning.
Financial discipline is keeping pace. Around 40 per cent of respondents report saving monthly, 28.4 per cent use autopay to manage EMIs, and over a quarter maintain a monthly budget. For many, financial health is defined not by wealth, but by reliability, with 45.7 per cent ranking timely EMI payments as their top priority.
The survey largely captures women under the age of 29, a group entering formal credit systems for the first time. Their habits, the report suggests, could shape how India approaches borrowing in the years ahead.
Commenting on the findings, mPokket CEO and founder Gaurav Jalan said the shift is structural rather than temporary. “It is not just about borrowing, it is about agency. Women are confident, they borrow with clear purpose, and they follow through. The responsibility for platforms like ours is to build products that are accessible, transparent, and designed for such a cohort.”
As India’s credit culture evolves, this new generation of women borrowers appears to be rewriting the rules, proving that financial confidence and responsibility can go hand in hand.
