Written By: Bandana Gupta

Trent Limited, a flagship retail company of the Tata Group, is a leading name in India’s lifestyle and retail franchise space. Popular brands like Westside, Zudio, and Star Bazaar, it brings fashion, groceries, electronics, and home essentials to customers through a variety of modern store formats. Evolving from its origins as Lakme Limited, Trent has grown into a trusted retail powerhouse, known for delivering quality products at accessible prices.

Key Highlights

• Parent Company: A Tata Group company, backed by one of India’s most trusted business houses.

• Legacy: Started in 1952 as Lakme Limited and shifted to apparel retail in 1998, later becoming Trent Limited.
• Major Brands:
  • Westside: Fashion and lifestyle stores with in-house brands.
  • Zudio: Affordable, trend-driven fashion.
  • Star Bazaar: Grocery and daily essentials.
  • Samoh: Premium ethnic and occasion wear.
  • Zara (JV): Brings global fast fashion to India.  
• Product Range: Fashion, footwear, beauty, home items, groceries, electronics, books, toys, and more,are available in stores and online.
• Business Focus: Serves affordable fashion, premium brands, and daily essentials under one group.
• Support Services: Supported by subsidiaries like Fiora to ensure smooth operations.

In short, Trent Limited is a dynamic Tata Group retailer with a strong, diversified presence, serving everything from everyday essentials to fashion-forward and lifestyle needs under one trusted umbrella.

Trent Limited Franchise Model: Zudio & Westside Opportunities

Trent Limited is rapidly expanding its retail presence through its popular brands Zudio and Westside, leveraging the Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated (FOCO) model to drive scalable and professionally managed growth. This means the franchise partner invests in the store setup, while Trent handles daily operations, staffing, and merchandising, making it a lower-effort, professionally managed business for investors.

Zudio Franchise

Zudio is Trent’s fastest-expanding brand and a key growth driver, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It operates only under the FOCO model.

• Investment: Around ₹60–80 lakhs (can go up to ₹1 crore in some locations)
• Store Size: 3,000–6,000 sq. ft. in high-traffic areas
• Royalty: Approx. 4–6% of monthly sales
• Expansion Focus: Rapid rollout across India

Westside Franchise

Westside follows a more selective expansion strategy and is typically seen in larger cities or premium locations.

• Investment: Around ₹1–2 crore
• Store Size: 8,000–12,000 sq. ft.
• Model: Mostly FOCO; FOFO in limited cases

How the Franchise Process Works

1. Submit an expression of interest through official channels.
2. Trent reviews financial capability.
3. Location is evaluated and approved jointly. The franchise agreement is signed.
4. Trent supports store setup, staff training, inventory, and launch marketing.

For official details, partners can visit the Trent Limited website or reach out directly at zudio.rba@trent-tata.com.

This model allows investors to partner with a trusted Tata Group brand while Trent manages operations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and long-term scalability.

Why Zudio is Becoming India’s Fastest-Growing Fashion Franchise

Today, Zudio contributes nearly half of Trent’s total revenue, transforming from a side experiment into the group’s biggest growth engine. Its rise isn’t about glamour or global labels; it’s about understanding Indian shoppers, executing flawlessly, and scaling with discipline.

• Unexpected Winner:Zudio, a value-fashion brand from Trent Ltd. (Tata Group), is outperforming global players like Zara and H&M in India.
• Explosive Growth:In FY24, Zudio recorded ~95% sales growth, while international fast-fashion brands reported much slower expansion.
• Fast Expansion:Launched in 2016 with one store, Zudio now operates 765+ stores across 235 cities—scaling faster than most Indian retailers.
• Mass Pricing Strategy:Most products are priced between ₹199 and ₹999, with the majority under ₹1,000, making fashion affordable for everyday consumers.
• Tier 2 & 3 Focus:Strong presence in smaller cities and suburbs, where demand for stylish yet affordable clothing is high.
• Smart Store Strategy:Prefers low-rent, high-footfall locations instead of premium malls, helping control costs and boost profitability.
• FOCO Model Advantage:Operates on a Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated model, enabling rapid growth while maintaining brand control.
• No Digital Dependency:No app or e-commerce platform, Zudio relies entirely on physical stores and has high in-store product churn.
• Rapid Inventory Turnover:New styles hit stores every 15 days, encouraging frequent visits and repeat purchases.
• 100% Private Labels:Complete control over design, pricing, and supply chain ensures faster trend response and better margins.
• Revenue Powerhouse:Zudio now contributes nearly half of Trent Limited’s total revenue, becoming its strongest growth engine.
• What’s Next:Continued expansion in Tier 3 cities, larger store formats, and deeper market penetration, keeping Zudio firmly ahead in India’s value-fashion race.

Westside vs. Zudio: Which Format Offers Better ROI for Investors in 2026?

Affordable Fashion as a Franchise Model: Lessons from Zudio’s Meteoric Rise

Zudio’s rapid rise in affordable fashion is driven by its simple yet powerful FOCO (Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated) model and smart business decisions. Backed by Trent Ltd. (Tata Group), this approach allows fast expansion with low capital risk while maintaining full control over quality and customer experience.

Why Zudio’s Model Works

• FOCO Advantage: Franchise partners invest in the store setup, while Zudio manages daily operations. This helps the brand scale quickly without heavy investment from the parent company.
• Franchisee Role: Partners invest around ₹1–3 crore to secure space, build the store, and fund initial working capital.
• Zudio’s Role: Handles staffing, inventory, supply chain, marketing, and store operations.
• Returns: Franchisees earn a share of monthly sales, typically delivering 10–20% margins.

Smart Business Strategies

• Affordable Pricing: Most products are priced under ₹999, appealing strongly to value-conscious customers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• 100% In-House Brands: Full control over design and production keeps costs low and trends fresh.
• No Discounts: Everyday low pricing builds trust and protects margins.
• Offline-First: Focus on physical stores avoids high e-commerce costs.
• Low Marketing Spend: Relies on store visibility and word-of-mouth instead of expensive advertising.

In short,Zudio shows how a lean, well-controlled franchise model can deliver fast growth. By keeping prices low, operations efficient, and brand control strong, it creates value for both the company and its franchise partners,while serving a huge, underserved market.

Investor Guide: How to Evaluate a Trent Limited Franchise Opportunity

When evaluating a Trent Limited franchise (Zudio or Westside), investors should focus on a few key factors to make a confident decision:

• Financial Strength: Review total investment, ongoing fees, and ROI potential. Zudio typically breaks even in 20–24 months with healthy margins.
• Brand & Market Demand: Backed by the Tata Group, Trent brands enjoy strong trust,assess local demand and competition carefully.
• Business Model: Zudio’s FOCO model lets investors fund the store while Trent manages operations, offering a more hands-off experience.
• Support System: Check the level of training, marketing, and operational support provided.
• Legal Review: Carefully examine the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with a legal expert.
• Franchisee Feedback: Speak with existing partners for real-world insights.
• Personal Fit: Ensure the opportunity aligns with your goals and involvement level.

In short, a Trent franchise offers strong brand backing and growth potential,but thorough due diligence is key to turning it into a successful investment.

The Influence of Westside and Zudio on the Indian Fashion Industry in 2026: A Retail Wrap-Up

In 2026, Westside and Zudio continue to drive Trent Ltd.’s success in India’s fashion market. Zudio leads growth with rapid store expansion in the value-fashion segment, while Westside maintains a steady presence in the mid-premium category. Despite market volatility, Trent’s H1 FY26 results highlight the strength of this two-brand strategy.

Key Highlights

• Strong Revenue Base: Westside and Zudio together generate nearly 99% of Trent’s apparel revenue.
• Growth Through Expansion: Zudio remains the main growth engine, with 800+ stores, while Westside operates 260+ stores across key cities.
• Different Retail Approaches: Zudio focuses on physical stores to keep costs low, while Westside combines stores with online sales.
• Operational Strength: Fast inventory cycles at Zudio keep collections fresh and drive repeat purchases.
• Solid Financial Performance: Trent posted 19% revenue growth in H1 FY26, showing resilience despite a slowing market.

Conclusion

Zudio fuels rapid growth, and Westside adds stability. Together, they give Trent Ltd. a balanced and scalable presence, positioning the company as a major force in India’s fashion retail market.

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.