A new report from Enalytix, an AI-driven video analytics and field-force productivity expert, has revealed a significant boom in the Indian fashion retail landscape with 20-25 per cent increase in new store openings across Tier-3 & Tier-4 cities and increased footfall at fashion retail stores.
The report also unveiled that Mumbai with 25 per cent is the city with the highest fashion store footfall among Indian cities, followed by Bangalore at 18 per cent and Delhi/NCR at 17 per cent. This is further followed by Hyderabad at 16 per cent and Kolkata at 11 per cent. The report data outlines the key cities that are bolstering the growth of fashion in terms of footfall.
The report, based on footfall data, highlights a surge in store openings and increased shopper traffic, particularly in Tier-3 and Tier-4 cities. Fast fashion store openings in these smaller cities have jumped by 20-25 per cent, signaling their growing importance for retailers. Footfall in high-street stores in Tier-3 and 4 cities has risen by an impressive 40 per cent, with mall stores also seeing a substantial 35 per cent increase. This growth is attributed to increased access to urban retail experiences, the influence of affordable fashion brands, and influencer marketing.
Across all city tiers, mall stores are experiencing a significant resurgence, with footfall up by 40 per cent compared to 2023. High-street stores in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities have also seen a healthy 20 per cent rise in foot traffic.
Shoppers typically spend 10-14 minutes in fashion stores, with 20-25 per cent lingering for over 15 minutes, indicating a higher potential for sales conversions. This dwell time increases to nearly 30 per cent in mall stores on weekends. Peak shopping hours are between 5 pm and 8 pm. However, brands face a 30 per cent bounce rate, especially on weekdays, suggesting lower engagement levels during these times, potentially due to shorter shopping trips or less compelling in-store experiences.
Enalytix Founder & CEO, Rajul Tandon, emphasised the importance of data-driven decisions in the evolving retail landscape. He noted that the footfall trends represent significant growth opportunities for fashion retailers and that understanding both online and offline engagement is crucial for sustained success.
The report suggests a promising future for India’s fashion retail industry, with Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities becoming retail hotspots. Retailers now have the opportunity to tap into these emerging markets and enhance in-store experiences to convert footfall into customer loyalty. The data underscores the need for fashion brands to innovate and engage creatively to attract and retain shoppers.
