Tech-driven expansion: UK fashion retailers entering India's market

UK retailers pursuing opportunities in India is officially a trend. This year alone, Asos, Next, and – most recently – Karen Millen, have announced that they intend to expand into India as part of their international growth strategies.

COO at Karen Millen, Mark Barraclough, said in September that India presented “a great opportunity for the brand to have a physical presence and test a new market,” with the Boohoo Group-owned fashion brand now live in the territory.

The opportunity

So why India, and why now?

A Kearney Research study projects India's retail industry will grow at 9% between 2019 and 2030, from $779 billion in 2019 to $1,40 billion by 2026, and to more than $1.8 trillion by 2030. India's direct selling industry is expected to be valued at $7.77 billion by the end of 2025, underlining the commercial opportunity of this expanding market.

Following the arrival of a new government in the UK this summer, the UK and India are set to resume talks around securing a new trade agreement which could help boost both economies. With a population of 1.4 billion, the Indian economy is projected to become the world’s third largest by 2050, emphasising why UK retailers are interested in access to consumers.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG), in association with Retailers Association of India, released its annual flagship report in February which says the next decade provides a $2 trillion opportunity in India. However, it also references the “many Indias” retailers need to cater to within the country.

Many UK and European retailers are already serving the ‘many Indias.’  Boohoo and Zara have been operating there for a while; Asos and Inditex brands will arrive this year.

The role of technology in global expansion

In today's fast-paced retail environment, managing diverse regional preferences, adapting to local regulations, and optimizing supply chains are critical challenges. Boohoo Group's journey exemplifies how leveraging the right technology can facilitate successful international expansion.

Boohoo's success with BlueCherry

Boohoo Group, a leader in affordable fashion, made international expansion a cornerstone of its growth strategy. To help drive this strategy, Boohoo selected the BlueCherry supply chain management platform, including B2B wholesale, ERP and PLM. This decision empowered Boohoo to streamline wholesale relationships and reach new audiences without significant new overhead.

Key achievements

• Speed and scale: Boohoo stress-tested BlueCherry's platform to make new styles available to wholesale partners within 24 hours, achieving growth even as many brands faced supply chain disruptions.
• Seamless integration: With BlueCherry, Boohoo also benefits from the integration of product and transactional data, streamlining processes from inspiration to purchase order.

"We evaluated a number of different technology providers and different solutions, and we determined that BlueCherry felt like the right fit, with the right capabilities off-the-shelf, and the right flexibility to deliver on our vision.” says Kieren Rimmer, Technology Director for Trade & Operations at Boohoo Group.

Why choose BlueCherry?

BlueCherry offers a comprehensive suite of tools that support global expansion:

1. Unified operations: BlueCherry streamlines processes across borders, providing real-time visibility into inventory and sales, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. This helps retailers maintain consistent operations internationally.
2. Optimized supply chain management: The platform enables efficient inventory allocation and management of diverse suppliers, improving forecasting accuracy and ensuring smooth logistics across regions.
3. Multi-channel integration: Seamlessly integrates with e-commerce platforms and manages wholesale relationships, allowing retailers to maintain a consistent brand experience across online and offline channels.
4. Data-driven insights: Provides performance analysis across regions, helping retailers identify market-specific trends and make informed decisions on pricing, promotions, and inventory allocation.

As UK retailers continue exploring opportunities in India, having a robust technological foundation is crucial. BlueCherry provides the operational agility and market insights needed to navigate new markets successfully.

Ready to expand your global footprint?

Contact the BlueCherry team today for a personalized consultation and discover how our solutions can empower your international growth strategy. Join industry leaders like Boohoo in turning your global ambitions into reality.