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Trent Ltd is stepping up its retail expansion across smaller cities, with plans to add more Zudio and Westside stores, strengthen its Star food and grocery business and take its Indian lifestyle brands to overseas markets. The strategy comes as the retailer reported a 22% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue to Rs 5,873 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, according to media reports.
Chairman Noel N Tata said the company was expanding across diverse markets, including Tier II and Tier III cities, where its brands had received a positive response. Trent plans to build on this acceptance to deepen its reach in smaller markets.
The company's fashion retail footprint now spans more than 18.5 million square feet across 339 cities, including three cities in the UAE, underlining the scale of its domestic and international operations.
During the quarter, Trent opened 10 Westside stores and 19 Zudio stores, while consolidating two Zudio outlets. As of September 30, its portfolio comprised 311 Westside stores, 999 Zudio stores, including seven in the UAE, and 32 stores across other lifestyle concepts. The company also crossed the 1,000-store milestone for Zudio during the quarter.
While expanding its network, Trent continued to report stable gross margins across Westside and Zudio. Operating EBIT margin improved to 11.6% from 10.5% in the corresponding quarter last year. Emerging categories such as beauty and personal care, innerwear and footwear contributed more than 21% of revenue. Westside's online business, including sales through the Tata Neu platform, grew 20% in the first half of FY27 and accounted for more than 6% of its revenue.
Beyond fashion retail, Trent is looking to strengthen its presence in food and grocery through Star. The business recorded revenue growth of more than 20% during the September quarter despite an evolving competitive environment. It added one store, taking its network to 87 outlets across 13 cities. Own brands and products accounted for more than 74% of Star's revenue, according to Tata.
Trent's consolidated revenue excludes revenue from its Trent Hypermarket business under applicable accounting standards. However, the company's proportionate share of the venture's profitability is reflected through the equity method.
For the first half of FY27, consolidated revenue increased 20% to Rs 11,628 crore. Operating EBITDA rose 35% to Rs 1,633 crore, while profit after tax grew 24% to Rs 986 crore.
On a standalone basis, second-quarter revenue increased 23% to Rs 5,788 crore. Operating EBITDA rose 37% to Rs 791 crore, while profit after tax grew 9% to Rs 490 crore.
The company said profit comparisons were affected by other income in the previous year. The second quarter of FY26 included pre-tax gains of Rs 96 crore from asset sales, while such gains amounted to Rs 109 crore in the first half. Comparable gains in the current financial year were not material.
Tata said Trent would continue to strengthen its lifestyle businesses while building a larger presence in food and grocery retail. He also outlined the company's ambition to become a meaningful exporter of Indian brands. The comments came as he concluded his tenure as Trent's chairman, with the retailer continuing to pursue expansion across domestic and international markets.
