Fabindia, GoColors aim at Rs.6000 cr. in IPO

Leading Indian clothing brands, Fabindia and GoColors are preparing to go public by 2021’s end. While GoColors aims to raise Rs. 800 – Rs. 1000 crores, the ethnic apparel brand, Fabindia expects to acquire a sum of Rs. 3000 crores.

Fabindia, GoColors plan to go public

According to reports, GoColors started preparing for an IPO at the end of June. For this purpose, it has hired investment banks DAM Capital, ICICI Securities, and JM Financial. This clothing brand is all set to raise fresh capital to:

• Expand its brand presence
• Meet working capital requirements

As for Fabindia, the company is still in the process to hire banks for its initial public offering.

Interestingly, Fabindia’s primary focus is not raising funds. Instead, it aims at giving exits to current investors. PremjiInvest, which owns nearly 25% of the company, is likely to exit during the IPO.

With this announcement, Fabindia is now one of the many companies queuing up for IPO.

Earlier, another ethnic clothing brand, Manyavar, decided to hit the primary market, aiming to raise Rs. 2000 – Rs. 2500 crores. Manyavar IPO is expected to hit the markets later this financial year.

Fabindia, GoColors –Highlights about the companies

GoColors primarily manufactures legwear for women. Complying with the latest trends, it’s become one of India’s leading legwear manufacturers.

GoColors high points:

• It reported revenue of Rs. 393.6 crores in 2020. This figure is a 19% increase from the previous amount of Rs. 285.2 crores in 2019.
• GoColors profits jumped to Rs. 52.6 crores in 2020. In 2019, its profits amounted to Rs. 36.5 crores.
• GoColors revenue experienced a CAGR of 57% for the previous 5 years.
• Its asset-light business model has helped the company maintain healthy return ratios and margins.

As for Fabindia, this famous ethnic apparel brand has been staunch upon expanding its operations since 2017. The company planned to set up 40 – 50 stores every year, in India as well as globally.

Fabindia high points:

• Fabindia has opened 37 stores in the last eighteen months.
• Fabindia’s sales marked a CAGR of 40 – 50%.
• The company established its name in the handloom sector without extensive paid advertising.
• WCP Mauritius Holdings invested a sum of $11 million in the company for a 6% stake.

But will Fabindia maintain this growth scale in the coming years?

Fabindia’s marketing head admits that it is facing slowed retail expansion due to spiralling real estate prices. Additionally, there are now other handloom apparel giants in India like Pantaloons and Westside.

But, it’s not in favour of expanding through the franchisee route in the Indian market because it’s not keen on diluting the brand. The company’s marketing head also stated that Fabindia’s thoroughly built supply chain gives it a major advantage over other industry rivals.

Parting words

Many retailers are lining up for IPO despite the pandemic, establishing India’s strong retail base. Resultantly, there is plenty of optimism in the air, which will likely spur consumer demand in the coming months.

Frequently asked questions

When is the FabindiaIPO expected to hit the primary market?

The Fabindia overseas is expected to hit the market as early as this year’s end.

When will share saleshappen for GoColors?

The share sale will most likely take place during the second half of this fiscal year.

How much is Fabindia valued?

The company is presently valued at around $1.5 to 2 billion dollars or Rs. 732 crores approximately.