Trent plans to intensify its expansion into smaller cities and towns across India, betting on rising consumption beyond major metropolitan markets, a senior executive said on Monday.
The Tata Group retailer, which operates youth-focused fashion chains Zudio and Westside, added more than 100 stores in the nine months to December, taking its total store count to over 1,100. Analysts have indicated that continued store roll-outs are likely to underpin the company’s near-term earnings growth.
P.Venkatesalu, Managing Director of Trent, stated that a substantial share of the company’s new stores — approximately two-thirds — were increasingly being opened in new towns, emerging cities and micro-markets on the periphery of larger urban centres. He did not disclose the precise number of additional stores planned or the specific cities targeted.
In recent quarters, Trent has entered several towns in the southern state of Kerala, expanding its footprint to 274 cities nationwide. According to a company presentation, more than 75% of Zudio stores opened in the nine months ended December were located outside metropolitan areas.
The strategic shift reflects a broader industry trend, with Indian consumer goods makers and retailers turning their focus to smaller cities to tap into a growing middle class. Recent tax reductions have also provided a demand stimulus, further supporting expansion beyond the metros.
Venkatesalu stated that the company was increasingly deploying artificial intelligence tools and leveraging third-party data — including brand-wise store density and digital transaction metrics — to identify optimal locations for new outlets. He added that Trent was scaling up the use of automation and analytics across product development, supply chain management and store operations to enhance efficiency as it expands, without providing additional operational details.
