In an exclusive interview with SME Times, Neha Agarwal, Co-founder of Petit Royal, a Mumbai-based multi-brand fashion house for kids, said that the kinds apparel industry is booming in India.

Every parent sees their child as an extension of themselves. Hence we feel that there is real potential in terms of business scalability and actual sales for brands/designers. It is not just limited to it being talking point or just a fad, she added.

Excerpts of the interview…

We personally believe in our grandmother’s approach, that you should thoroughly check the quality, feel the fabric and then buy for your little aristocrats.

What are the products you offer to customers?
Neha Agarwal: Petit Royal offers everything that a child requires including apparel, shoes, accessories, personalized stationery, return gifts and gold and diamond Jewelry exclusively designed for kids.  The company caters to age group 0-13 years and has been built in such a way that it is appealing to the customer and is of high utility to the consumer, as the decision maker of purchase is the parent. Their product range includes Head Gears starting from Rs 350 and Clothes at Rs1000, going up to Rs 25000. We are targeting all moms who want their kids to look different and stylish.

Please tell us about the current scenario of the Indian apparel industry?
Neha Agarwal: The Kids apparel Industry is a booming Industry. Fashion connoisseurs have always seen fashion as an extension of themselves into every aspect of their lives. Similarly every parent sees their child as an extension of themselves. Hence we feel that there is real potential in terms of business scalability and actual sales for brands/designers. It is not just limited to it being talking point or just a fad.

You have chosen a niche...why and how you maintain it?
Neha Agarwal: Niche....is what the whole world wants and thrives for. 

Armed with a robust background in fashion and with previous experience of running business, we have always laid high emphasis on quality of the product. We follow a disciplined and heavily brainstormed curation process to onboard designers. Petit Royal has observed repeat sales from existing customers, who have now become loyal patrons for the brand. Trending designs, high quality products, personalized service, notable after-sales support, riveting content among other aspects have enabled Petit Royal to build a strong and sustainable brand.

Please tell us about startup opportunities in India.
Neha Agarwal: Consumers are always looking for something unique and different. If you are a label that thinks out of the box, opportunities are plenty. As u keep establishing your brand, keep reinventing yourself.  

Do you think finance is a very difficult hurdle for Indian MSMEs?
Neha Agarwal: As someone rightly said, “Finance is the Lifeblood of business”. It is definitely very difficult as banks find it very cost ineffective and too risky. 

Please tell us about your future plans?
Neha Agarwal: We want to start an online portal to give our overseas clients the convenience they need. We also want and wish to open a second branch very soon. We want to make every child in India our very own little aristocrat wearing Petit Royal. Hence, currently focusing to create awareness through PR and Marketing and make it a pioneer store in The Kids Industry. We want our store to be the only destination for moms to style their little royals.