Fashion
Max&Co to launch in India with Reliance Brands Limited
Published
October 29, 2025
Reliance Brands Limited has signed a long-term master franchise agreement to bring the Max&Co fashion brand to India. As part of the partnership, the first Max&Co store in India is set to open in Mumbai in early 2026.
“Max&Co embodies a bold, modern expression of femininity– dynamic, joyful, and unapologetically individual– a spirit that deeply resonates with the evolving style and confidence of Indian women,” said Reliance Retail Ventures Limited’s executive director Isha Ambani in a press release. “It’s distinctive fusion of Italian design heritage and youthful energy will have significant appeal for the Indian woman. Through our partnership with Max Mara Fashion Group, we are proud to bring this iconic global brand to India and shape a new chapter in contemporary women’s fashion.”
Following the mono-brand store opening in Mumbai, Reliance Brands Limited will undertake a national roll-out for the brand in key metropolitan cities. Max&Co is part of the Max Mara Fashion Group and specialises in contemporary Italian ready-to-wear and accessories, the full offering of which will be available in the upcoming India stores along with seasonal ‘&Co.llaboration’ capsule lines.
“We are pleased to join forces with Reliance Brands, whose strong experience in building and nurturing global premium brands makes them an ideal match for Max&Co in the region,” said Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, Max&Co’s brand divisional director and Max Mara Fashion group board member. “India represents a vibrant and forward-thinking market, one that shares our passion for creativity, style, and self-expression. Our future mission is to inspire a new community of women who live with confidence, curiosity, and a cool, modern attitude.”
This partnership taps into the increasing demand for modern luxury and global fashion amongst Indian consumers. Founded in 1986, Max&Co is distributed in more than 400 stores across the globe and online.
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Fashion
US’ Crocs’ Q1 strong on DTC growth; margins, EPS decline
The company’s consolidated revenues stood at $921 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, down 1.7 per cent year on year (YoY), or 4 per cent on a constant currency basis. DTC revenues rose 12.1 per cent, while wholesale revenues declined 9.9 per cent. Gross margin fell to 56.8 per cent from 57.8 per cent, while operating income declined 9.9 per cent to $201 million. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) slipped to $2.71 from $2.83.
Crocs has reported better-than-expected Q1 2026 results, with revenue at $921 million, down 1.7 per cent, driven by 12.1 per cent DTC growth. Gross margin fell to 56.8 per cent, while EPS dipped to $2.71.
The Crocs brand grew modestly, but HEYDUDE declined.
CEO Andrew Rees highlighted strong consumer demand and raised FY26 guidance, projecting EPS of $13.20-13.75.
“We are pleased to have started the year with better-than-expected results, fuelled by broad consumer relevance for both of our brands and disciplined execution,” said Andrew Rees, chief executive officer (CEO) at Crocs. “We delivered enterprise revenue of over $900 million, supported by strong consumer response to product newness and consistent brand storytelling.”
The Crocs brand posted modest growth, with revenues up 0.8 per cent to $767 million, supported by a 12.9 per cent rise in DTC sales. International markets remained resilient, growing 7.2 per cent. However, North America revenues declined 6.1 per cent, Crocs said in a press release.
HEYDUDE revenues fell 12.3 per cent to $154 million, weighed down by a sharp 24.7 per cent drop in wholesale sales, although DTC revenues rose 8.6 per cent.
The company ended the quarter with $131 million in cash and reduced total borrowings to $1.34 billion.
Crocs lifts FY26 outlook; sees modest margin expansion
For full-year 2026, Crocs now expects revenues to range from down 1 per cent to up 1 per cent, with adjusted diluted earnings per share projected between $13.2 and $13.75. The company also anticipates modest expansion in adjusted operating margin.
For the second quarter, revenues are expected to decline slightly, with Crocs brand growth of 1–3 per cent and HEYDUDE projected to fall 12-14 per cent. Adjusted operating margin is forecast at around 24.7 per cent.
“Based on our first quarter performance, we are raising our full-year outlook on both the top- and bottom-line,” added Rees. “We remain confident in the long-term health of the business as we drive diversified growth across brands, channels and markets.”
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Italy’s inflation rises to 2.8% in April on energy spike
The rise was largely driven by a rebound in energy costs. Prices of non-regulated energy products surged from a 2 per cent decline to a 9.9 per cent increase, while regulated energy prices rose 5.7 per cent after previously contracting, Istat said in a press release.
Italy’s inflation rose to 2.8 per cent YoY in April 2026 from 1.7 per cent in March, driven by a sharp rebound in energy prices, Istat said.
Monthly inflation stood at 1.2 per cent.
Goods inflation strengthened, while services inflation eased.
Transport costs increased notably.
The harmonised index (HICP) rose 2.9 per cent YoY, reflecting higher prices and seasonal factors.
In contrast, services inflation showed signs of moderation. Prices for recreation-related services eased to 2.6 per cent YoY, while transport services slowed sharply to 0.5 per cent. Overall services inflation decelerated to 2.4 per cent from 2.8 per cent in March.
Goods inflation, however, strengthened significantly, rising 3.2 per cent YoY compared with 0.8 per cent in the previous month. This narrowed the inflation gap between goods and services to -0.8 percentage points, down from +2 percentage points in March.
The monthly increase in the index was primarily led by higher prices for non-regulated energy (+5.7 per cent), transport services (+1.6 per cent), and recreation-related services (+1.4 per cent).
Among major consumption categories, water, electricity and fuels recorded a sharp 5.3 per cent annual increase, while transport prices rose 3.8 per cent.
Italy’s harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP), which allows comparison across the euro area, rose 2.9 per cent YoY in April, up from 1.6 per cent in March. On a monthly basis, HICP increased 1.7 per cent, partly reflecting the end of seasonal discounts in clothing and footwear.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
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