Brands
Metro Brands Ltd partners with New Era Cap
Mumbai: New Era Cap, the New York-based brand in sports fashion has announced the signing of a long-term licensing agreement with Metro Brands Ltd (MBL), India’s footwear and accessories specialty. This partnership will expand the retail presence of New Era in India and deepen MBL’s retail expansion in the athleisure market.
Under the terms of the agreement, MBL is granted exclusive rights for the distribution and sale of New Era products including headwear, apparel and accessories through retail stores and shopping kiosks. They will hold rights to channel online sales through their own websites, New Era sites and online marketplaces. New Era will also be present in the coming Foot Locker stores in India.
New Era is a symbol of authenticity and individuality, appealing to a wide range of people from sports fans to fashion-forward individuals. Best known for being the official on-field cap for Major League Baseball and the National Football League, New Era’s signature headwear silhouettes include the 59FIFTY, fitted cap, the 9FIFTY snapback and the adjustable 9FORTY.
The Indian headwear market has thrived through e-commerce. Recognizing the potential for retail expansion, Metro Brands Ltd plans to strategically penetrate the market by integrating sports culture into the cap industry with New Era.
New Era VP Paul Gils said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Metro Brands to create a robust growth plan for both headwear and apparel in India. Metro Brands has a deep understanding of the Indian consumer coupled with their expertise in retail and distribution. We look forward to significant brand expansion over the coming years.”
Metro Brands Ltd CEO Nissan Joseph said, “At Metro Brands Ltd, our vision is to introduce the finest global brands to India and fulfill our customers’ complete athleisure wardrobe needs. This partnership marks a major milestone in that journey. It will allow us to revolutionize the cap market, elevate the retail experience, and address the evolving preferences of our customers. We are confident that, through this collaboration, caps are going to be the next statement accessory to watch out for.”
Metro Brands Ltd, with over 800 stores across India, is gearing up to open the first Foot Locker store in the country. Within the Metro Brands Ltd family, an array of brands, including iconic Indian labels like Metro Shoes, Mochi and popular international choices like Crocs, FitFlop and Fila, have prospered.
Brands
JP Morgan names Rahul Badhwar as senior country officer for India
HSBC veteran to drive growth and strategy as US bank strengthens India presence
MUMBAI: JP Morgan has appointed Rahul Badhwar as its senior country officer for India, signalling a renewed push in one of Asia Pacific’s most critical markets.
Badhwar, who joins from UK-based HSBC, brings three decades of experience in sales and trading, most recently serving as global head of corporate sales for markets and securities services in London. His career spans stints in India, Dubai and Hong Kong, giving him a strong international perspective.
He will replace Kaustubh Kulkarni, who left JP Morgan in September 2025 to join rival Citigroup. Badhwar will be based in Mumbai from July, report to Leenart, and join JP Morgan’s Asia Pacific Management Committee.
According to an internal memo reviewed by PTI, Badhwar’s responsibilities include expanding the bank’s full suite of offerings to clients, strengthening governance and controls, and supporting talent development and community initiatives.
JP Morgan operates across trade solutions, investment banking, and equity capital markets in India, employing more than 55,000 people nationwide. Badhwar’s appointment is expected to reinforce the bank’s strategy and growth ambitions in a market critical to its Asia Pacific operations.
