Trent Ltd. , a prominent retail company in India, has recently reported experiencing a slight deceleration in its business operations following recent modifications to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regulations. Despite this minor setback, the company is actively expanding its lab-grown diamond business through its apparel retail chain, Westside.

Impact of GST Changes

The company has indicated that the recent alterations in tax policy have had a measurable impact on its performance. While the extent of the slowdown is described as 'minor', it underscores the sensitivity of retail businesses to changes in taxation structures.

Expansion of Lab-Grown Diamond Business

In a strategic move to capitalize on growing consumer trends, Westside, operated by Trent Ltd., is expanding its lab-grown diamond business. The company currently operates 20 lab diamond stores within its Westside portfolio and has launched products online ahead of Diwali.

Westside COO Shailina Parti emphasized that the company views this as a fashion business rather than fine jewelry, targeting younger consumers who are driving demand growth. Lab-grown diamonds serve as a cheaper alternative to natural diamonds, with India's lab-grown diamond exports tripling between 2019 and 2022.

Business Operations and Future Plans

Westside currently operates 261 stores and opened 13 new locations in the latest quarter. The company plans to increase its online sales contribution from the current 7-10% to 20% over the next 2-3 years. To achieve this, Westside is implementing AI to accelerate processes and leveraging its supply chain capabilities to bring products to market within weeks.

Looking Ahead

While Trent has acknowledged a temporary setback due to GST changes, the company's expansion in the lab-grown diamond sector and its focus on online sales growth demonstrate a proactive approach to adapting to market trends and regulatory changes. Stakeholders and industry observers will likely be watching closely to see how Trent manages these challenges and opportunities.

As the situation develops, more detailed information about the specific impacts and Trent's response strategies may become available. Investors and market analysts may want to keep a close eye on future announcements from the company for a more comprehensive understanding of how these various factors are affecting Trent's operations and financial outlook.

Trent Limited , a prominent player in the Indian retail sector, has reported strong financial performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q2FY26), demonstrating resilient growth and continued expansion of its store network.

Financial Highlights

Trent Ltd has announced impressive revenue growth for Q2FY26 and the first half of FY26:

The company's standalone revenue from the sale of products, including GST, reached ₹5,002.00 crores in Q2FY26, marking a significant 17% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous fiscal year. For the first half of FY26, Trent's revenue grew by an even more impressive 19%, totaling ₹10,063.00 crores.

Store Expansion

Trent continues to strengthen its retail presence across India and has even ventured into international markets:

• As of September 30, 2025, Trent's total store count stood at 1,101, including:
  • 261 Westside stores
  • 806 Zudio stores (including 3 in the UAE)
  • 34 stores across other lifestyle concepts

The company's expansion strategy remains robust, with a particular focus on its Zudio brand:

Market Position and Outlook

Trent's strong performance in Q2FY26 and H1FY26 underscores the company's solid market position and effective growth strategies. The consistent expansion of its store network, particularly the rapid growth of Zudio stores, indicates Trent's commitment to capturing a larger share of the Indian retail market.

The company's venture into the UAE market with Zudio stores also signals its ambitions for international expansion, potentially opening new avenues for growth beyond the domestic market.

As Trent continues to expand its retail footprint and drive revenue growth, investors and market watchers will likely keep a close eye on the company's performance in the coming quarters, especially given the evolving landscape of the retail sector in India and globally.