Brands
“Automation and AI enhance efficiency and innovation:” Ritesh Khandelwal
Mumbai: ZYOD stands out as one of premier choices for fashion manufacturing in India. As an innovative and technologically advanced clothing manufacturing company, they are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art solutions tailored to the unique needs of fashion brands. Their forward-thinking strategies and technology-enhanced operations ensure a seamless and efficient production process for all their clients.
Ritesh Khandelwal is the co-founder of ZYOD, a rapidly growing tech enabled fashion manufacturing firm renowned for its comprehensive design-to-delivery services tailored to fashion brands. ZYOD offers an extensive portfolio of the latest styles and trends, catering to the dynamic structures of the fashion industry.
Khandelwal sees India as the next apparel manufacturing hub, aiming to boost global exports by leveraging advanced technology and innovations. By tapping into regional expertise and resources, he wants to revive the charm of natural Indian fabric, aligning with his commitment to environmental well-being and global collaboration. Under his leadership, ZYOD continues to innovate and make strides toward its goal of reshaping the fashion industry, both locally and globally.
Before taking on the leadership role in operations and finance at ZYOD, Ritesh has founded successful brands such as Yufta and Fashinza. He holds a computer science degree and is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).
Indiantelevision.com reached out to Khandelwal, where he shared insights on their manufacturing approach, upcoming technologies and the overall landscape of the fashion manufacturing industry…
Edited excerpts
On ZYOD’s cluster manufacturing approach and its efficiency in exports and overall supply chain management
ZYOD’s cluster manufacturing approach centralizes production, streamlining operations and boosting efficiency. Our just-in-time production reduces waste and allows flexible ordering. A real-time ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system ensures transparency and precise tracking. This approach enhances efficiency and sustainability in our supply chain aiding brands to stay competitive in this fast-paced market. We are actively working to create manufacturing clusters in India that will have a transformative impact. This approach will not only bridge the gap between SMEs and manufacturers but also aims at creating a unique ecosystem offering features such as end-to-end services with the lowest MOQs(Minimum Order Quantities) to new-age brands and retailers.
On the key factors contributing to the success of fashion manufacturing startups in India
Sustainability is all about repurposing. To build a sustainable business, we focus on quality and truly understanding the challenges fashion brands face. This way, we create a unique experience curated for and tailored to the specific brand, developing a strategy that caters to their needs and concerns the best. Some of the key factors contributing to the success of fashion manufacturing startups like ZYOD, include:
1 Innovation and Agility: Using AI and real-time ERP systems.
2 Sustainability: Reducing waste and promoting ethical practices
3 Cost-Effectiveness: Leveraging India’s cost-effective production market.
4 Market Adaptability: Offering flexible Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs).
5 Strong Leadership: Visionary leaders driving growth.
On the initiatives you have undertook to create a unique ecosystem that benefits both new-age brands and retailers
At ZYOD, we’ve created a unique ecosystem for new-age brands and retailers by implementing several key initiatives. Our real-time ERP and zero-touch platforms enhance transparency and streamline operations from design to delivery. We prioritize sustainability by reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. Offering flexible MOQs helps brands manage inventory and financial risks better. Our comprehensive support enables brands to focus on market strategy. By expanding globally, we enhance our market presence and foster international partnerships.
On the role you see automation and AI playing in the future of fashion manufacturing at ZYOD
Automation and AI enhance efficiency and innovation. AI improves trend prediction and inventory management, while automation streamlines production and reduces errors. These technologies enable customization and support sustainable practices by optimizing resources. AI-Powered Fashion Forecasting and Efficiency is something we are quite excited about. ZYOD employs advanced AI algorithms to analyze extensive datasets, enabling it to predict fashion trends, color combinations and prints with high accuracy and improve design and production standards.
On envisioning the future of this ecosystem, and impact you think it will have on the global apparel market
We envision a tech-driven, sustainable fashion manufacturing ecosystem that sets new standards in efficiency and customization. Expanding globally, we aim to position India as a leading fashion manufacturing hub, creating an agile and innovative industry. With partnerships across leading apparel brands, ZYOD aspires to be the definitive one-stop shop for everything fashion from designs to delivery, contributing significantly to India’s apparel manufacturing global market share. In the past year, the brand has partnered with a variety of leading apparel brands and labels like Reliance, FirstCry, Rare Rabbit, Anthropologie, NEXT, Boohoo, Landmark Group, Joop & Gypsy, Aminas Collection, Cactus Rose, Ancestory, Allen Cooper, TIGC, Libas, Coverstory, Muse and Payal Singhal among others. With the vision of taking ‘India to the globe’, ZYOD plans business expansion across 40+ countries. Collaborating with 500+ SMEs, ZYOD targets to unveil 100,000 styles monthly. Our journey is not just about expanding the Indian manufacturing landscape, but also about setting new standards and making fashion manufacturing more agile and innovative.
Brands
Uber launches hotel bookings feature in partnership with Expedia
From hotel bookings to room service at your door, the ride-hailing giant is making its boldest push yet into everyday life
CALIFORNIA: Uber is done being just a taxi app. At its annual GO-GET product event, the world’s leading mobility and delivery platform unveiled a sweeping set of new features designed to plant itself at the centre of how people travel, eat and shop, hotel bookings included.
The headline move is a partnership with Expedia Group that lets Uber users in the United States book hotels directly within the Uber app, with access to a catalogue that will eventually grow to more than 700,000 properties worldwide. Uber One members get 10 per cent back in Uber One credits on all hotel bookings and savings of at least 20 per cent on a rolling list of more than 10,000 hotels globally. Vacation rentals from Vrbo, Expedia Group’s home-rental brand, will be added later this year. The partnership is expected to expand beyond the United States. From June, Uber rides will also be integrated directly into the Expedia app, with push notifications sent to travellers ahead of hotel check-in to book discounted Uber rides for the duration of their stay.
Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive of Uber, framed the expansion in terms of the modern condition. “Uber is becoming an app for everything, helping people go, get, and now travel all in one place,” he said. “We’re all living through a moment of real cognitive overload: too many apps, too many decisions, too much noise. At the end of the day, our job is to help people reclaim their time, spending less of it managing the logistics of life and more of it actually living.”
Ariane Gorin, chief executive of Expedia Group, struck a similarly ambitious note. “Travel should feel effortless, and this partnership gets us one step closer to offering a seamless traveller experience,” she said. “By connecting our two-sided marketplace with Uber, we’re bringing Uber rides directly into the Expedia app and Expedia Group’s lodging inventory into the Uber app through our Rapid API technology. Together, we’re helping travellers spend less time planning and more time enjoying the journey.”
Beyond hotels, the product announcements come thick and fast. Travel Mode, available within both the Uber and Uber Eats apps, offers curated recommendations on local favourites, tourist destinations, OpenTable restaurant reservations and on-demand delivery to hotel rooms. Uber One International means the membership programme now works globally, allowing members to earn credits on rides abroad that can be redeemed once back home. A new Shop for Me feature lets users request items from any store, even those not listed on the app. Eats for the Way allows riders in select cities booking an Uber Black or Uber Black SUV to have a drink or snack waiting for them in the car. Voice Bookings, powered by artificial intelligence, lets users book a ride conversationally, without touching their phone. And a redesigned One Search bar consolidates results for places, food and items across the entire Uber platform in a single query.
Uber has now logged more than 72 billion trips since it launched in 2010. The question it is now answering is what comes after the ride. The answer, apparently, is everything else. Whether users want a hotel in Paris, a coffee in the back of a car or a snake plant from the local garden centre, Uber would very much like to be the one to provide it. The app economy’s land grab has a new front-runner.
NOTE: The image used is AI generated and only for representational purposes.
