Bengaluru-based fashion startup Slikk aims to reach ₹100 crore in monthly gross merchandise value by March 2027 as it prepares to enter Delhi and Mumbai. The company is shifting its business strategy from pure speed to curated fashion discovery to improve profitability. Market observers are monitoring whether this model can manage the high operational costs and return rates typical in the quick-commerce fashion space.
Slikk, a Bengaluru-based startup focused on the quick-fashion delivery segment, is scaling its operations with a goal to reach ₹90 to 100 crore in monthly gross merchandise value by March. Under the leadership of co-founder and chief executive officer Akshay Gulati, the company is doubling its dark store footprint in Bengaluru from six to 12 locations by the end of the year. Beyond its home market, the startup plans to extend its services to Delhi and Mumbai within the next six to nine months.
Moving Beyond Speed
The quick-fashion sector has historically faced skepticism regarding the profitability of delivering apparel within 60 minutes. To address these concerns, Slikk is pivoting its strategy away from being a purely convenience-based service. The platform is repositioning itself as a destination for fashion discovery, targeting the 18-35 age demographic with a focus on product curation and private labels rather than relying on deep discounting to drive volume. The company reports that its 'try and buy' feature, which allows customers to test products before purchasing, is helping to manage the high return rates that typically plague online apparel retail.
The Challenge of Unit Economics
Operating dark stores—small, localized warehouses designed for rapid fulfillment—requires significant capital. Slikk claims to have achieved positive order-level contribution margins and states it has reduced cash burn by 50 per cent over the last six months. However, the quick-commerce model remains capital-intensive. The industry has seen previous attempts by other players struggle with the high logistics costs, inventory management, and returns handling that define fashion retail. As Slikk prepares to raise further capital to fuel its entry into Delhi and Mumbai, its ability to maintain these margins while scaling infrastructure will be the primary test for its business model.
Funding and Investor Backing
Slikk has secured approximately $13.5 million in funding across three rounds from investors, including Nexus Venture Partners, Lightspeed India Partners, and Better Capital. As it seeks its next round of financing, the company is leveraging its new brand identity and app design to strengthen its position as a curated fashion retailer. The next key monitorable for the business will be its success in replicating its Bengaluru-based unit economics in larger, more competitive markets like Delhi and Mumbai, where logistics costs and operational hurdles may vary.