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Here is why Zudio is more of a business case study than just a fashion brand. While others are burning crores in marketing and squeezing margins in retail, Zudio is quietly building an empire by doing the exact opposite. So how is Zudio able to sell trendy clothes at unbelievably low prices and still remain highly profitable? Let’s break it down 👇 Unlike competitors like Max or Shoppers Stop who stock multiple brands, Zudio sells only its own products. That means it controls everything from design to manufacturing to retail, completely cutting out middlemen, wholesalers, and brand margins. No royalties, no brand markups — just cost-controlled production at every level. But that’s just the beginning… Zudio also spends almost nothing on advertising. You won’t find big celebrities endorsing it, no flashy billboards, and not a single high-budget TV or YouTube ad. Instead, Zudio relies entirely on word-of-mouth and regional micro-influencers — people who genuinely love the product and share it organically. And the smartest move? Zudio expands using the FOCO (Franchise Owned, Company Operated) model. Each store costs up to ₹2 Cr. to set up — but Zudio pays nothing. Franchise partners handle the cost of setup and real estate, while Zudio takes over operations, inventory, and splits the profits. So while others are scaling cautiously with deep investments, Zudio is scaling rapidly with zero CapEx. It’s not magic. It’s just brilliant execution of 3 business fundamentals: Vertical integration to control cost and quality Zero-cost marketing through authentic word-of-mouth Smart expansion through asset-light FOCO model 📌 Actionable Takeaway: If you’re building a business — → Audit your value chain. Can you cut out intermediaries and own more of the process? → Rethink marketing. Can your product be so good that it markets itself? → Grow without growing costs. Explore FOCO, licensing, or partnerships to expand without burning capital. And if you love learning how smart businesses grow with lean models and clever strategies, subscribe to my newsletter from the link in the comment.