Consumer and Internet
Metro Brands’ premium shoes start to pinch
02 Sep 2025
This trend points to a broader reality in consumer markets: discretionary categories such as fashion and lifestyle are especially vulnerable to shifts in sentiment, spending priorities, and evolving definitions of “premium.” What was once seen as aspirational post-pandemic indulgence is now being balanced with cautious purchasing behavior and greater scrutiny of value.
Commenting on this development, Madhur Singhal, Managing Partner, Praxis Global Alliance, observed that businesses cannot afford to depend on past momentum. To stay ahead, brands must continuously innovate across multiple dimensions—refreshing product design to reflect consumer aspirations, enhancing customer experience to build stronger loyalty, and leveraging new channels of engagement to reach and retain audiences more effectively.
In an increasingly competitive and fragmented market, the ability to adapt faster and create differentiated value propositions will define which players succeed in capturing the next wave of growth.