Written By: Gouri Ghosh

People buy clothes that make them feel confident and happy. Fashion retail in India is growing very fast. The market was at approximately USD 58 billion in the year 2023 and may cross up to USD 125 billion by 2030. This means more people buy branded and value-fashion clothing, making the retail fashion franchise business a good option for new investors. In this growing market, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, popularly known as ABFRL, is a very strong and trusted company. It has many popular brands and plans to open many more stores in 2026. Because of this, the ABFRL franchise is becoming popular among people who want to start a retail fashion franchise in India.

In this blog, we'll explain why ABFRL is one of the good brands to invest in, what the  ABFRL franchise cost might be, how much profit can be expected, risks to know, and how to start a store. The following guide will allow you to find everything in a simple and clear way.

Why is ABFRL a Powerful Brand for Franchise Investors in 2026?

• Revenue Growth: During FY25, ABFRL earned approximately ₹7,355 crore, an increase of over 14% the previous year.
• EBITDA Growth: EBITDA increased 64%, reflecting excellent performance and growth of the business.

Business Focus: The lifestyle brands are a separate part from ABFRL. This allows ABFRL to focus on:

• Ethnic wear
• Value-fashion
• Mass-market retail
• Digital-first/digital-first brands
• New Stores: ABFRL will open over 250 stores in FY26, including franchise-owned stores, which can be a good opportunity for investors seeking a retail fashion franchise in India.
• Profit goals: ABFRL has targeted improving profit margins for Pantaloons and Style Up over a five-year period.
• Cash Reserves: ABFRL has approximately ₹2,350 crore in cash that can support new stores, inventory, supply chain, and franchisee partners.

Variety of Brands: ABFRL has a range of options for franchisees:

• Ethnic wear
• Fast fashion
• Mass-market retail
• Value-fashion
• Designer/celebrity-led labels

Whether you are a fresher in franchising or already an owner of an enterprise, an ABFRL franchise is a good choice for any investor looking to own a retail fashion franchise in India with a trusted brand and a proven business model.

What is the  Franchise Option for ABFRL  in 2026

ABFRL offers multiple options to potential investors who are interested in starting a fashion retail franchise in India. Depending on one's budget, city size, and target customers, one could choose any of the following formats that would best suit their aspirations.

Value-Fashion Retail Stores

• Ideal for tier-2 and tier-3 cities where the customer is price-conscious.
• The Style Up brand fits this format, offering trendy and affordable clothing for men, women, and kids.

Mass-Market / Large-Format Retail Stores

• Ideal for metros and tier-1 cities with high footfall and constant demand.
• The big format retail brand of ABFRL, Pantaloons, covers casual wear, ethnic wear, and accessories for the whole family.

Ethnic Wear Stores

• Ethnic wear demand is growing fast, especially amongst families and young consumers living in smaller cities.
• Precisely, brands like Jaypore and Tasva would fit in this category, offering good ethnic wear and festive collections.

Fast-Fashion & Youth-Oriented Stores

• ABFRL’s youth-oriented collections make it pretty easy to attract this audience.

ABFRL helps you to pick the right option for your budget, city size, and local customer demand. This makes it a strong choice for any investor looking into a retail fashion franchise in India.

Investment Details of  ABFRL franchise in India 2026

 As a franchise consultant, we get one common question from investors: What is the ABFRL franchise cost?

Most investors should expect the following:

Investment Components:

• Store Interiors, Fixtures, Lighting, and Design: Creating a modern, attractive store layout.
• Initial Inventory Purchase: Stocking clothing, sizes, and collections that your customers will want.
• Staff Hiring and Training: Hiring staff in stores and training them to maintain the brand's standards.
• Working capital during the first few months: Managing the day-to-day expenses until the sales pick up.
• Rent, Electricity, and Operational Expenses: The expenses of keeping the store fully operational.
• Estimated Investment: Investment in a store begins from ₹ 50 Lacs approx for a store size of 1,000 sq. ft.

What support does ABFRL provide for franchise investors in 2026?

When you start an Aditya Birla Fashion retail franchise, the company helps you with the following aspects:

• A well-recognized and reputable brand name.
• Inventory support and regular replenishment of stock.
• Supply-chain and logistics support.
• Merchandising guidance for display and product placement.
• Training support for staff and standard operating procedures.
•  Marketing and branding attract customers easily.
• The operational support when launching the store.

That is not all; you will get a strong corporate backing to run your retail fashion franchise in India successfully, so it means you are not starting alone.

Why invest in the Aditya Birla Fashion retail franchise in 2026?

• Big Expansion: ABFRL is planning to open over 250 stores in FY26, many of them will be franchise-owned. That means there's a huge opportunity for new investors like you.
• Better Profits: Brands like Pantaloons are working on increasing profits, which makes running your Aditya Birla fashion retail franchise more promising.
• Growing Demand in Smaller Cities: Consumers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are seeking branded apparel, mainly ethnic wear and value-fashion. This is an excellent opportunity to capture the rising demand in the market.
• Strong Support: ABFRL’s supply chain and inventory system make things easier for franchise owners, from restocking to offering a good variety of products to smoother operations.

All this makes the year 2026 an ideal time to start your ABFRL franchise and venture into the exciting retail fashion franchise market in India.

Profitability and ROI Expectations for Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Franchise

Risks to Consider Before Investing in an ABFRL Franchise

 If you are considering opening a retail fashion franchise in India, here are some points to consider:

• High Investment: It requires money for store setup, interiors, and stock. This is part of the Aditya Birla fashion retail franchise cost.
• Seasonal Trends: Fashion is fast-moving. You must manage your inventory carefully to meet demand.
• Competition: Online brands and other stores can impact your sales.
• High Rent: Stores in busy areas cost more, therefore eating into the profits.
• Hands-on work: You must be actively involved, especially in the first year.
• Local Demand: Success depends on how much branded apparel people in your city or town purchase.

 We always advise investors to check footfall, local demographics, and the rent-to-revenue ratio before choosing any location. This helps you make your ABFRL franchise a safer and smarter investment.

How to Apply for an ABFRL Franchise in 2026

If you're ready to start your Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail franchise, you have to follow the process:

• Choose Your Format: Decide whether you want a value-fashion store, an ethnic wear outlet, a large-format store, or a youth fashion store.
• Contact ABFRL: Get in touch with its franchise team to find out the updated Aditya Birla Fashion Retail franchise cost, requirements, and agreements.
• Choose the Location Wisely: Search for malls, busy streets, or retail markets with high footfall.
• Arrange Funding: Ensure you have funds to set up the store and fund 6–12 months' working capital.
• Complete Documents and Compliance: This includes GST registration, business licenses, rental agreements, and other approvals.
• Store Fit-outs and Launch: ABFRL guides you on store layout, merchandising, and staff training.

These steps help you to set up a retail fashion franchise in India properly and with the support of ABFRL.

Conclusion

If you want to start a fashion retail business, then an ABFRL franchise stands out as one of the best options in India. The brand is fast-growing, operationally well-run, and offers stores for all types of customers-from value-fashion to ethnic wear to premium labels.

Of course, your success depends on choosing the correct location, managing the store properly, and also on knowing your customer. The good news is that ABFRL provides very good support to make running your retail fashion franchise in India much easier.

If you're feeling uncertain about where exactly to begin, how much to invest in, and how to apply, we will help you through each step. 

faqs

 Which are the brands owned by ABFRL? 

ABFRL owns brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England, The Collective, Pantaloons, and Tasva.

 How much does it cost to buy the franchise of Allen Solly clothing?

 The Allen Solly cost starts around ₹50–60 lakhs, depending on store size and location. 

How can I invest in ABFRL? 

You can invest by contacting ABFRL's franchise team, choosing a brand and format, arranging funding, and completing the required documents to start your retail fashion franchise in India.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.