Bengaluru-based fashion startup Slikk is betting on private labels, tighter curation and larger dark stores to unlock its next phase of growth, as reported by Mint. The company is expanding its own-label offering, narrowing product discovery around individual shoppers' preferences and evaluating 15,000-40,000 sq ft dark stores that can carry deeper inventory and more categories. According to co-founder and CEO Akshay Gulati, the startup is moving beyond its 60-minute delivery proposition to focus on sharper product selection and personalized discovery.
The strategic shift comes as quick fashion faces tougher tests of sustainability. Startups such as Blip shut down less than a year after launch in 2025, citing limited capital and go-to-market challenges, while Klydo closed operations in July after ending brand partnerships. Larger platforms including Myntra and Reliance Retail have brought rapid fashion delivery into their existing ecosystems, making speed easier to replicate. Myntra entered with M-Now in December 2024, expanding to Delhi-NCR and Mumbai by June 2025 with more than 90,000 products from over 600 brands through more than 40 dark stores.
Slikk launched its first private label, BrownButter, which has become a significant part of the business with customers repeating purchases. According to Gulati, the company is broadening its assortment beyond western wear, which now accounts for less than 40% of its business. The company is adding ethnic wear, footwear, accessories, watches, sports products, and plans to go deeper into home and decor. Slikk recorded ₹43.3 lakh in revenue in FY25, marginally ahead of competitor KNOT's ₹43 lakh, as reported in company filings.
The expansion is driving the move towards larger dark stores. Slikk currently operates six dark stores, each spanning 10,000-20,000 sq ft, and is evaluating expandable real estate of 15,000-40,000 sq ft. According to Lightspeed India partner Rahul Taneja, who has invested in Slikk, serving cities like Bangalore would require up to 8 dark stores with appropriate sizing. The company remains focused on Bengaluru, covering 55-60% of the city, and plans to expand to Delhi and Mumbai in the first half of next year while targeting ₹100 crore in GMV in Bengaluru by March.
Slikk has raised $13.5 million across three funding rounds, including a $300,000 seed round in May 2024, a $3.2 million seed round in January 2025, and a $10 million Series A in May 2025. The Series A was led by Nexus Venture Partners with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners. Competitor KNOT has raised about $10.1 million across four rounds, while Zilo has raised $19.9 million across two rounds, including a $15.3 million Series A in February 2026.
