Decoding Uni Seoul’s ‘Korean-Inspired, Indian-Made’ Vision for Lifestyle Retail

Tell us a bit about your entrepreneurial journey and how Uni Seoul came to be

I began my entrepreneurial career in 2008 with a learning and development company, then moved into leadership roles at tech startups like WhitehatJr, Vedantu, and Lentra. My passion for consumer brands and design led me to start Uni Seoul with my co-founder, Gaurav Karmani, in 2023.

During my travels, I was inspired by brands like Miniso, Daiso, and Artbox, which made everyday products joyful. India lacked a similar offering, and that gap inspired Uni Seoul—where cuteness becomes culture, and Korean-inspired lifestyle aesthetics are made accessible at affordable prices.

Which regions are currently the strongest for Uni Seoul?

We’re seeing the strongest traction in South and West India, especially Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Nashik. Our flagship store on Church Street, Bengaluru, has become a retail hotspot, clocking trading densities around ₹4,000 per sq. ft.

How many stores does Uni Seoul currently operate?

We currently run nine stores—seven are company-owned and two are franchise-led. We're scaling through a balanced COCO (company-owned) and FOCO (franchise-owned, company-operated) model to ensure consistency in design and customer experience.

What’s your management mantra?

Empathy with accountability.

We build people-first processes backed by data and performance metrics. Whether it’s store staff, franchisees, or customers, our approach emphasizes empathy, transparency, and operational efficiency.

What are your expansion plans for FY26–27?

By FY27, we aim to operate 30+ stores, expanding into Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Mumbai, while adding more outlets in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. We’re also launching new SKUs inspired by Seoul’s design culture to deepen our brand identity.

Where do you see Uni Seoul five years from now?

Our goal is to build a 500-store network across India, rooted in the philosophy of affordable cuteness. Internationally, we plan to enter UAE and Southeast Asia via master franchise partnerships, establishing Uni Seoul as India’s first Korean-inspired lifestyle export brand.

How has the lifestyle products market evolved over the past five years?

There’s been a shift toward premiumization, storytelling, and sustainability. Consumers now seek products that are not just functional but emotionally resonant, aesthetically pleasing, and responsibly made.

What trends will shape the industry over the next five years?

We see the rise of experiential and omnichannel brands, AI personalization, quick commerce and micro-store formats. Additionally, IP-led collectibles and character-driven retail will be big—something we’re actively working on.

How is technology and AI integrated into your operations?

We use AI-driven analytics for demand forecasting, inventory management, and store performance. Our PPIC model optimizes procurement and replenishment. We also run AI-based visual merchandising audits and trend analysis to enhance design and product selection.

What are your top markets in India?

Our key cities include Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi NCR. We’re expanding into Ahmedabad and Kochi soon. Interestingly, our Nashik store—a Tier 3 location—is one of our top performers.

What are three major trends in the lifestyle product space today?

Affordable Aesthetic Living – Consumers want well-designed, quality products that don’t break the bank.

Impulse-led Shopping – Purchases are becoming more emotion-driven and spontaneous.

Cuteness as Culture – The global ‘cute’ aesthetic is now a lifestyle expression, promoting positivity and playfulness.

How do you view the role of franchising in retail today?

Franchising is the backbone of scale in Indian retail. The future lies in data-led, asset-light models like FOCO and FICO, where the company manages operations and inventory while partners invest and share in the success.

How does Uni Seoul support its franchisees?

We provide end-to-end franchise support, including Store design and project execution, Site identification and feasibility studies, Lease negotiation, Staff recruitment and training, POS/ERP systems, logistics, and daily operations, Centralized merchandising and visual standards, and dedicated account managers for ongoing support.

Unlike many in the industry, our inventory allocation is unbiased and data-driven—no preferential treatment to large or master partners. This ensures healthy sell-through, profitability, and consistent brand experience across all stores.

What do you look for in a franchise partner?

We partner with entrepreneurs passionate about experiential retail and aligned with our customer-first, integrity-driven philosophy. Beyond financials, we assess their values, long-term vision, and operational mindset. We also conduct ROI and location feasibility studies before onboarding any partner.