Brands
Fashion house in the red as ABFRL posts Rs 233.7 crore quarterly loss
MUMBAI: Loss is the new black and ABFRL is wearing it this quarter. Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd (ABFRL) has stitched together a tough start to FY26, posting a consolidated net loss of Rs 233.73 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2025 deeper than the Rs 144.18 crore loss in the March quarter and the Rs 237.86 crore red ink from the same period last year.
Revenue from continuing operations inched up 9.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,831.46 crore, with the Pantaloons arm contributing Rs 1,094.13 crore and the Ethnic & Others segment adding Rs 754.57 crore. But rising costs from Rs 742.49 crore worth of stock-in-trade purchases last quarter to Rs 449.90 crore this time and finance charges of Rs 113.36 crore kept the bottom line under pressure.
The quarter also included discontinued operations from the recently demerged Madura Fashion & Lifestyle unit, which brought in Rs 1,877.50 crore in revenue and Rs 140.61 crore profit after tax. Even with this boost, the overall loss for continuing and discontinued operations stood at Rs 212.81 crore.
Operating margins from continuing business slipped into the negative at -0.26 per cent compared to 2.84 per cent in Q1 FY25, while net profit margin was -4.30 per cent. Total expenses surged to Rs 2,148.75 crore, with depreciation and amortisation costs rising to Rs 303.14 crore and rent expense hitting Rs 55.74 crore.
On the balance sheet, ABFRL’s total assets stood at Rs 16,696.52 crore, with segment liabilities at Rs 9,628.52 crore. Net worth came in at Rs 8,239.51 crore. The company’s debt service coverage ratio remained negative at -3.52 times, signalling ongoing financial strain.
Earnings per share from continuing operations came in at a loss of Rs 1.74, versus a Rs 0.49 loss a year ago. The Ethnic & Others segment, despite revenue growth, recorded a Rs 178.82 crore loss for the quarter, while Pantaloons barely broke even with Rs 3.67 crore in profit.
While ABFRL continues to face cost headwinds and margin pressure, it is banking on its mass-market and ethnic portfolios to ride out the turbulence. For now, though, this quarter’s fashion statement is all about survival chic.
Brands
Raymond unveils Chairman’s Collection luxury store in Bandra
New 11,000 sq ft flagship redefines menswear retail with couture experience.
MUMBAI: Raymond has just raised the bar for luxury shopping in India by turning a store into a full-blown sartorial journey. The iconic menswear brand has launched its Chairman’s Collection flagship store in the heart of Bandra, Mumbai. Spanning over 11,000 square feet across two levels, the stunning space opened on the weekend of 10 April and offers a bold, immersive experience that blends fine menswear, evolved design, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque aesthetics with a contemporary European sensibility, the store is rooted in Indian craftsmanship while reflecting a distinctly global identity. It is divided into three distinct worlds:
- Modern Opulence – Casual Couture: Elevated casualwear featuring printed silk shirts, embroidered denim, and statement separates.
- Power Dressing – Contemporary Heirlooms: Exquisite suits in world-class fabrics, embellished jackets, and Indo-Western silhouettes.
- Art, Heritage & Experimentation – Indian Renaissance: Artisanal garments combining Renaissance-inspired prints with traditional techniques like zardozi and hand embroidery.
Beyond apparel, the store offers fine jewellery (including lab-grown diamonds), curated fragrances, and luxury watches, creating a holistic luxury destination. The experience is appointment-led, ensuring personalised service including bespoke tailoring and styling.
Raymond Lifestyle Limited, CEO Satyaki Ghosh said, “Chairman’s Collection reflects the pride of creating international-quality luxury, made in India, for the modern Indian man. This is a logical brand evolution towards launching a first-of-its-kind couture experience in India.”
The store also features gallery-style displays, a refined tailoring zone, and curated collectibles, including Formula 1-inspired models and Art Deco pieces, reflecting the Chairman’s passion for automobiles and fine art.
In a market increasingly hungry for meaningful luxury, Raymond has moved beyond traditional retail to create a space that doesn’t just dress a man, it defines his lifestyle. With the Chairman’s Collection, the brand is proving that true luxury in India is no longer just about what you wear, but how you experience it.
This new flagship is more than a store, it’s a statement that Indian luxury has arrived, and it’s dressed to impress.
