Q] NewMe came up with a 60-minute delivery service, ZIP. What was the thought behind it?
Vinod: When we launched NEWME, our mission was to build a trend-first brand that delivers the latest fashion fast. We noticed a clear shift, customers today want instant access to trendy outfits, whether it’s for a dinner night or a last-minute plan. They’re not willing to wait, and we wanted to solve that.
With a strong product assortment already in place, we piloted a 60-minute delivery model in Delhi over the past six months, refined our approach, and have now launched it in Bangalore as NEWME Zip. The response has been incredible within just a week, and with 1,500+ styles, the largest assortment in quick commerce fashion, we’re excited to meet the real-time fashion needs of our customers.
Q] Zepto and a lot of other brands are also, delivering fashion in a very short time. What makes NEWME different from them?
Vinod: Building fashion in quick commerce is fundamentally different from categories like grocery. Fashion demands a well-curated, diverse assortment across subcategories, whether it's A-line dresses, shirt dresses, co-ord sets, or bodycon styles. Unlike grocery, customers won’t settle for limited options; they want variety and the best fit for the occasion.
Most non-fashion players approach it with a basic assortment mindset, but that doesn’t work here. If someone has a party tonight, they won’t accept just five choices, they want the full range. That’s why we've built a strong assortment across dresses, bottoms, and shirts to meet every possible need.
What also sets us apart is our robust data science engine. We map demand down to each pin code, identifying what works where, and tailor our assortment accordingly. One-size-fits-all doesn't work in fashion, and managing this mix across locations is complex. But with three years of experience in the space, we understand the nuances deeply. That’s why we believe we’re ahead of the curve and better positioned than anyone else in the market.
Q] How are you planning to market Zip?
Vikas: As Vinod mentioned, our focus is entirely on the customer, especially Gen Z, who want things instantly. Whether it’s a brunch, a beach day, a holiday, or a spontaneous meetup, they don’t plan in advance like millennials or older generations. They want to express themselves boldly, in ways that reflect their aesthetics and aspirations, and they want to do it now.
With the pace of today’s connected world, there's little time for planning but we don’t want them to compromise. Our goal is to meet their mindset: if there's an occasion, we have the right outfit ready for immediate delivery. It's about matching Gen Z's need for spontaneity with on-demand fashion.
Q] The brand is mostly built around Gen Z and Gen Z women. So what are the strategies that went behind it?
Vinod: Let me take a step back, fashion is a cluttered space, and from the start, we were clear about who we’re building for. We saw that Gen Z was an underserved segment. Most brands try to cater to everyone, Gen Z, millennials, etc., but that doesn’t work. To truly serve Gen Z, everything needs to be tailored: the assortment, UI/UX, branding, and social media. That’s why we chose to stay laser-focused on this age group.
From our chameleon logo to the pink-toned branding, everything reflects our target audience. At the same time, we’re expanding into lifestyle categories of jewellery, intimates, accessories to grow our wardrobe share. We're even launching workwear for Gen Z transitioning from college to their first jobs, reflecting how workwear itself is evolving into something smarter and more expressive.
At our core, NEWME is a trend-first brand. Our mission is to bring the latest global fashion to Indian women, fast. We’re not following the traditional fashion cycle, we're rewriting the playbook to move with speed, relevance, and precision.
Q] What is your growth driver? Where does the most order volume come from in terms of markets?
Vinod:We’re currently at 14 stores and plan to add 8–10 more this year. Today, offline accounts for about 20–22% of our sales (80/20 online/offline), but we expect that to grow to 35–40% over the next two years. Our app is the primary volume driver, generating roughly 75–80% of our business. While Instagram is a valuable traffic source, most purchases happen through the app.
Vikas: Before orders come in, it’s important to understand how users discover us. Our target audience spends a lot of time on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, driving strong visibility there. The other key discovery channel is word-of-mouth—customers wear our clothes to meetups or parties, sparking interest and referrals. So while most purchases happen on the app, discovery begins either online or through real-world interactions.
Q] You have 14 offline stores as of now, and NEWME has projected to grow to 70 stores by FY26. So what is the roadmap looking like?
Vinod: Our roadmap focuses on deepening presence in key cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, where we already see strong traction, Bangalore alone has four stores and rising online sales. Simultaneously, we’re expanding into tier 2 and 3 cities like Surat, where launching a store tripled our online business. These markets crave premium fashion and value the in-store experience. We also see major potential in the North-East, which already contributes 12% of our business. Cities like Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal are next. So while we aim for pan-India presence, our strategy is to first go deeper in current strongholds and strategically expand into high-potential smaller cities to boost both offline and online growth.
Q] What does your marketing mix look like in terms of channel?
Vikas: Our media spend focuses where our customers spend most time, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest—though platforms like Pinterest mainly start the discovery journey rather than direct purchases. We don’t limit ourselves to just paid ads; our organic Instagram page with 650k followers shows how much people love our relatable content. So, beyond driving orders, our strategy is to build brand love and engage our audience through authentic content, not just sales.
Q] What is NEWME's outlook in terms of revenue and sales in the next coming years?
Vinod: We’re currently growing nearly 3x year-on-year and expect to maintain this pace next year. Offline revenue is projected to rise to 30-40%, alongside launching new categories like perfumes next month to expand our brand mix. Our goal is to build a global fashion brand from India—something that hasn’t been done before.
We’ve invested heavily in a robust supply chain and in-house tech infrastructure, including ERP and world-class factories, enabling efficient production and inventory control—a major challenge for fashion brands. Using data-driven design and production, we minimize waste and optimize inventory.
With these strong foundations, we’re now focused on scaling 4-5x while building a profitable, sustainable business rather than one that burns cash. Growth with profitability is our clear priority going forward.
