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- Tell us a bit about your entrepreneurial / professional journey.
I formally joined Jain Amar in 2001, not from a boardroom, but from the shop floor. I started as a sales attendant—packing goods, helping customers, and immersing myself in day-to-day operations. That grassroots exposure shaped my understanding of the business. Over time, I moved into strategic roles in marketing, business development, and technology. Today, I serve as the Executive Director and continue to drive innovation, expansion, and digitization across our brands.
- When and how did Madame start? How has the experience been so far?
Madame was launched in 1993 under Jain Amar Clothing Pvt. Ltd., a company with a rich heritage dating back to 1939. The idea was to create a homegrown brand focused on western wear for Indian women—a space that was largely underserved at the time. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, resilience, and reinvention. What started as a fledgling brand is now a household name across India.
- When did the brand start franchising? How has the journey been?
Franchising began as part of our retail expansion strategy in the early 2000s. Today, we have over 150+ exclusive brand outlets and 900+ points of sale across India. Our franchise journey has been both rewarding and strategic—it has helped us penetrate tier II and III markets with agility while ensuring that the brand experience remains uniform and premium.
- What is your management mantra?
Lead from the front, but listen from the ground. I believe in empowering teams, staying agile, and combining the data-driven strategies with wisdom of legacy. People and culture are at the core of everything we do.
- What are Madame’s expansion plans for FY26?
We plan to strengthen our presence in untapped markets—especially in tier II and III cities. A key focus is expanding our omnichannel footprint and opening more exclusive brand outlets. Our e-commerce platform and digital integrations will also undergo major enhancements to serve customers more intuitively and personally.
- Where do you see the brand 5 years from now?
In five years, we envision Madame becoming a truly global name for women’s fashion from India—recognized yet more for style, and also for sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. With evolving retail formats, a stronger digital ecosystem, and entry into international markets; the journey is on progress.
- Talk us through your brand Camla. Will you be opening EBOs separately for Camla?
Camla Barcelona is our premium fashion brand of menswear & womenswear, offering contemporary western wear with a global aesthetic. We do plan to scale it independently with dedicated EBOs, tailored merchandising, and unique brand experiences. It caters to the fashion-forward consumer looking for international trends with Indian accessibility.
- In your view, how has the western apparel market evolved over the last 5 years?
The market has matured significantly. Consumers are more style-aware, seeking trend-aligned, quality-driven fashion that aligns with their identity. The shift to fast fashion, increased brand consciousness, and demand for omni-channel experiences has reshaped the western wear segment in India.
- How will it evolve in the next 5 years?
The next five years will see deeper personalization, AI-driven shopping experiences, and conscious consumption driving the market. Brands that offer sustainability, speed, and tech-led convenience will win. We’re already building towards that future.
- How have you integrated technology for the brand’s growth and expansion?
Technology is central to our strategy—be it retail operations, customer experience, or inventory management. From launching our e-commerce platforms early on to exploring new-age channels like the metaverse, we’ve always stayed ahead of the curve. Tech is also embedded into our design thinking and supply chain for agility and data-led decisions.
- How do you plan to cater to the growing markets of tier II and tier III cities?
Franchising is our primary model to scale into these markets. We combine local insights with brand support to ensure relevance and performance. We’re also expanding our digital reach to make fashion accessible in areas where physical stores are still catching up.
- 3 key trends according to you in the western apparel industry right now?
- Sustainability with Style – Eco-conscious fashion is no longer a niche.
- Comfort-First Designs – Comfortable yet stylish fits are dominating preferences.
- Phygital Retailing – Merging physical store experiences with digital convenience is the new norm.
- How important has been the business model of franchising in the industry? How do you envisage it in the future?
Franchising has been pivotal in democratizing branded fashion across India. It allows brands like ours to scale quickly while creating entrepreneurial opportunities. Going forward, tech-enabled franchising—driven by real-time data and strong training ecosystems—will be the future.
- How does Madame support its franchisees?
We offer 360° support—right from location selection and store setup to marketing, inventory management, and staff training. Our backend systems ensure real-time inventory tracking and replenishment, and our marketing team works closely with franchisees to ensure local relevance while staying on-brand.
- How does the brand choose its franchisees?
We look for partners who understand retail, believe in our brand philosophy, and are committed to customer experience. Financial soundness and local market understanding are also key criteria.
