Knockout Stores has been awarded the “IMAGES Most Admired Concept Store of the Year” at the India
Fashion Forum (IFF), recognizing a retail format that has consistently
demonstrated clarity of purpose, strong consumer relevance, and disciplined
execution across markets. The award, presented at India’s most credible retail
forum organized by IMAGES Group, acknowledges concepts that go beyond
transactional discounting to build long-term value-led retail ecosystems.
Knockout Stores operates as North India’s First
Value-Based Multi-Brand Outlet (MBO), led by Darpan Kapoor, a retail pioneer
with over 36 years of experience under his belt, offering international fashion
brands at all-season discounts, while maintaining structured merchandising,
planned store zoning, and a calm, discovery-led shopping experience. Unlike
temporary discount formats or clearance-driven outlet stores, Knockout is built
as a permanent value retail destination.
Across its network, Knockout brings together 50+ international brands, U.S. Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin
Klein, Gap, Only, Vero Moda, Kazo, Jack & Jones, Gap Kids, USPA Kids, Puma
Kids, Ruff, and more, spanning men’s, women’s, and kids’ apparel under one
roof. The model is designed to give customers choice, consistency, and
confidence, allowing families to shop multiple categories, age groups, and
brands in a single visit, without navigating multiple mono-brand outlets.
At the core of Knockout’s concept is a data-led
approach to retail design and assortment planning. Store formats are not
replicated blindly across cities. Instead, Knockout studies:
- Live store sales data
- Category contribution by market
- Customer feedback and repeat behavior
- Local family shopping patterns
These insights inform store size, category mix, brand zoning, and layout decisions, allowing each store to
respond to its local context while staying true to the Knockout value
proposition.
The Knockout model is particularly relevant in North
India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where aspirational customers seek
international brands, but also value convenience, price transparency, and
family-friendly shopping environment
The concept presented at IFF and recognized by the jury, used Knockout’s women’s and kids’ format in
Barnala as a case study to demonstrate how the Knockout system works in practice.
In Barnala, internal data revealed that women’s and
kids’ categories accounted for nearly 60% of demand, significantly higher than
network averages. Rather than expanding an existing men’s store, Knockout
re-architected the format by introducing a dedicated women’s and kids’ store
within the same compound. The decision reflected Knockout’s willingness to
rethink formats based on insight, not inertia.
The store was designed around family shopping behavior:
- Women-led entry zones to support calm discovery and decision-making
- A contained kids zone that attracts children without disrupting the store flow
- Value-led multi-brand curation featuring international brands with all-season discounts
The store’s performance, strong launch-day footfall, consistent post-launch growth, and high repeat ratios validated the broader Knockout approach to value retailing.
In an Indian fashion retail landscape crowded with
mono-brand discount stores and outlet clusters, Knockout demonstrates the
continued relevance of well-curated multi-brand outlets. Its model proves that
customers still value:
- The ability to compare brands side by side
- One-stop family shopping
- Predictable value without the chaos of clearance-led retail
“As we continue to strengthen Knockout’s presence in Punjab this year, with upcoming stores planned in
cities like Zirakpur, Ludhiana, and Patiala, our focus remains on delivering
value-led, thoughtfully designed retail experiences that work for families,”
said Darpan Kapoor.
The recognition at IFF highlights Knockout’s ability to balance choice, value, and structure, especially in
emerging cities where retail success depends on understanding local demand
rather than importing metro-centric formats.
For Knockout Stores, winning the IMAGES Most Admired
Concept Store of the Year is not just an award;
it is national recognition for a retail philosophy
rooted in listening closely to customers and designing formats that reflect how
India actually shops. It reinforces Knockout’s position as a thoughtful,
scalable value-based MBO, and a reminder that some of the most relevant retail
innovation in India is coming from beyond the metros.
Explore Knockout Stores Follow
Knockout at IFF
About Knockout:
KNOCKOUT is a fast-growing multi-brand retail outlet
designed to bridge the gap in customers’ needs and provide the best value
proposition on all the national and international brands. Starting small in
2017 with only a single operational store in Mohali, the sister alliance of
Kapsons Retail is now ruling in 9 cities of Punjab. Knockout Barnala was the
first-of-its-kind fashion arcade curated for the ever-diversified shopaholics
of Punjab, soon followed by Faridkot, Kharar, Jalandhar, Kullu, Moga, and Amritsar.
Keeping the user’s experience at the forefront, the goal is to imprint a strong
impression on the customers with a sublime, hassle-free shopping experience.