Flying Machine Becomes Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Arvind Fashions

Flying Machine Becomes Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Arvind Fashions

Three points you will get to know in this article:

1. Arvind Fashions (AFL) acquired Flipkart’s remaining 31.25% stake for ₹135 crore to make the Flying Machine brand a wholly owned subsidiary.

2. How AFL plans to move Flying Machine beyond a “digital-first” label into a powerful omnichannel brand across both online and offline retail channels.

3. Why Flipkart exited to focus on its core e-commerce operations while AFL consolidated its high-growth youth fashion business for better operational control.

Full Ownership of Flying Machine: Key Details of the Deal

The deal was formalized through a share purchase agreement with Flipkart India Pvt Ltd. Under the terms of the acquisition, Arvind Fashions will acquire 31.25% of the total shareholding of AYBPL on a fully diluted basis. This includes:

  • 1 equity share with a face value of ₹10.
  • 58,95,852 Compulsory Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) with a face value of ₹100 each.

 

Following the completion of this transaction, Arvind Youth Brands will transition from a joint venture to a wholly owned subsidiary of Arvind Fashions.

Strategic Rationale: Consolidating the ``Digital-First`` Success

The partnership between Arvind Fashions and Flipkart began in July 2020, when the e-commerce giant invested ₹260 crore in the youth-focused fashion unit. Since then, Flying Machine has undergone a massive transformation, re-establishing itself as a dominant digital-first brand.

According to Amisha Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Arvind Fashions, the partnership was instrumental in making Flying Machine a top choice for fashion-conscious youth on digital platforms. “Our relationship with the Flipkart group will continue, ensuring consumers can still shop Flying Machine on its platforms,” Jain stated, emphasizing that the brand will remain available across various e-commerce portals and physical retail channels.

By gaining 100% control, Arvind Fashions aims to:

  1. Streamline Decision-Making: Full ownership allows for faster strategic shifts and more agile brand management.
  2. Omnichannel Growth: The company plans to leverage its physical retail network alongside an aggressive expansion on diverse digital platforms.
  3. Financial Consolidation: For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Arvind Youth Brands reported a turnover of ₹432.16 crore, proving its resilience and market value.

Flipkart’s Exit Strategy

For Flipkart, the exit aligns with its broader corporate strategy of pruning minority stakes in non-core businesses. Owned by retail giant Walmart, Flipkart is increasingly focusing capital on its core e-commerce and logistics operations. This move helps improve capital efficiency as the company eyes a potential future IPO.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

Arvind Fashions is a powerhouse in the Indian apparel market, managing a prestigious portfolio of owned and licensed brands including U.S. Polo Assn., Arrow, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein. Consolidating Flying Machine—India’s first home-grown denim brand—strengthens its position in the competitive “youth fashion” segment.

Investors reacted positively to the news, as the move signals a focused approach toward high-growth, high-margin casualwear. As the casualwear market in India continues to expand, driven by digital penetration and a growing middle class, Arvind Fashions is now better positioned to capture the full value of the Flying Machine brand.

 

The acquisition of Flipkart’s stake marks a new chapter for Flying Machine. With full operational and strategic autonomy, Arvind Fashions is set to scale the brand to new heights, blending its heritage in denim with a modern, tech-driven retail strategy. For consumers, the transition will be seamless, with continued availability on Flipkart and an increased presence across the wider digital ecosystem.

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