From Westside To Zudio: Ratan Tata's Half-Brother Noel Tata Strikes Gold With Retail Company Trent

Tata Chairman Emeritus, Ratan Tata is one of the most loved and respected businessmen of India. His success story is one that will inspire generations to come. The Tata family is full of achievers, who stay away from the limelight and let their work speak for themselves.

For the unversed, Ratan Tata¡¯s half-brother Noel Tata is the chairman of Trent and Trent and Tata Investment Corporation, the managing director of Tata International, and the vice chairman of Titan Company and Tata Steel.

Ratan Tata and Noel Tata are half-brothers, sharing the same father, the late Naval Tata. Ratan is the son of Naval and his first wife, Sooni Commissariat, while Noel is the son of Naval and his second wife, Simone Tata (formerly Dunoyer), who is a businesswoman from Switzerland. Noel holds Irish citizenship.

Also Read: Meet Ratan Tata¡¯s Lesser-Known Brother Jimmy Tata, Who Is An Integral Part Of Tata Group

Noel Tata¡¯s Entrepreneurial Journey

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He began his career at Tata International, the Tata Group's arm for the products and services offered outside of India.

In June 1999, he became the MD of Trent, which had acquired department store Littlewoods International and changed its name to what we now know as ¡®Westside¡¯. Tata turned Westside into a profitable venture. In 2003, Noel Tata was appointed as the director of Titan Industries and Voltas.

Back in 2010-2011, it was reported that Rata Tata had taken him under his wing and was grooming him to become the next successor. However, Noel¡¯s brother-in-law Cyrus Mistry took over the position but he was soon ousted from the post. On the other hand, Noel Tata was made vice chairman of Titan Company in 2018, and in February 2019 was inducted onto the board of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. He also serves as a trustee on the board of both Sir Dorabji Tata Trust along with Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited and Smiths Plc.

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Noel Tata holds multiple leadership positions within the Tata Group. He serves as the Chairman of Trent (Tata's retail company), Tata International, Voltas, and Tata Investment Corporation. Additionally, Noel holds the position of Vice Chairman at Tata Steel and Titan, which encompasses brands such as Fastrack, Tanishq, and Titan Eyeplus.

Brands under Trent include Westside, Star Bazaar, Zara, Massimo, Zudio, and more. Westside, in particular, is Noel¡¯s most profitable venture as the fashion store now has over 200 stores across India.

Also Read: Do You Know The Tata Sumo Story? Ratan Tata Named The Iconic SUV After A Man, Not The Sport!

Noel Tata¡¯s Net Worth

As reported by the Economic Times, Trent achieved a market capitalization of Rs 1.6 lakh crore as of May 2024, marking it as the fifth listed Tata company to reach this milestone.

The retail company's revenue for FY23 amounted to an impressive Rs 8,242 crore, reflecting a significant increase from FY18's figure of Rs 2,157 crore. According to reports, Noel Tata's remarkable net worth is estimated at $1.5 billion (Rs 12,455 crore approx).

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Zudio¡¯s Rise To Prominence

Zudio made its debut in the Indian fashion industry in 2016, aiming to offer stylish clothing, footwear, and accessories at prices typically lower than its competitors. While names like H&M, Zara, and Allensolly are often linked with higher price ranges, Zudio positioned itself as a more budget-friendly choice for India's young middle-class demographic. Their pricing spans from Rs 99 to 999, making fashion more accessible to a wider audience.

The brand rose to prominence due to its pocket-friendly prices. Zudio¡¯s marketing strategy involved minimal investments in ads unlike other fashion brands that relied on celebrity endorsements and over-the-top ad campaigns. It grew because of word-of-mouth marketing.

Zudio's success is driven by its efficient supply chain management, which includes a strong network of suppliers and distributors. This enables the brand to streamline operations, ensuring timely delivery of products to stores. By optimizing their supply chain, Zudio reduces costs and maintains a consistent inventory supply, meeting customer demands without compromising on quality or affordability.

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The brand achieved remarkable sales figures, selling 90 T-shirts every minute, 20 pairs of jeans every hour, in addition to 19 fragrances and 17 lipsticks.

In FY24, Zudio expanded its network by adding 203 new stores and renovating 10 existing ones, with an average store size of around 10,000 sq ft. The investment required for a new Zudio store typically falls in the range of Rs 3-4 crore, encompassing capital expenditure, deposits, and inventory.

Today Zudio has over 545 stores in India across 161 cities, with a total revenue exceeding Rs 3,500 crore.

Westside is contributing 52% and Zudio is contributing 48% to Trent's revenue.