Product Quantum (Rs. Cr) (SEBI) Quantum (Rs. Cr) (Other FSR) Long Term Rating Short Term Rating Regulated By
Bank Loan Ratings 0.00 52.50 ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned - RBI
Bank Loan Ratings 0.00 6.50 - ACUITE A3 | Assigned RBI
Total Outstanding 0.00 59.00 - - -
Total Withdrawn 0.00 0.00 - - -
Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available.
 
Rating Rationale

­Acuite has assigned long term rating of 'ACUITE BBB-' (read as ACUITE Triple B Minus) and short term rating of 'ACUITE A3' (read as ACUITE  A Three) on Rs.59.00 crore bank facilities of Abacus Lifestyle Brands Limited (ALBL). The Outook is 'Stable'.

Rationale for Rating:

The rating factors in the company’s established market presence and association with reputed footwear,apparel,jewellery brands.The company’s scale of operations improved with revenue increasing from Rs.194.82 crore in FY2024 to Rs. 252.73 crore in FY2026 (Prov.), along with a marginal improvement in EBITDA margin from 9.40% to 9.84% during the same period. The financial risk profile remained moderate, supported by improved net worth, though constrained by high gearing and moderate coverage indicators. Working capital management is intensive owing to high inventory levels, as the company needs to maintain stock across various product categories, sizes, and colours to meet customer demand. Liquidity remained adequate, marked by net cash accruals of Rs. 14.09 crore against long-term debt repayments of Rs. 6.36 crore in FY2026 (Prov.); however, bank utilization remained high at 93% during the six months ended July 2026. The rating is further constrained by high geographical concentration, with around 87% of total revenue generated from Uttar Pradesh. Nevertheless, the company has started expanding its presence in Karnataka and Telangana. Acuite believes that the company’s scale of operations is likely to improve; however, its ability to sustain margins and efficiently manage its inventory cycle will remain key monitorable. The rating is further constrained by presence in a highly competitive market.


About the Company

­Lucknow based Abacus Lifestyle Brands Limited(ALBL) was incorporated in the year of 2011 by Mr. Sunit Kumar Mishra and Mrs. Kalpana Mishra . ALBL is engaged in retail and distribution of lifestyle, fashion, jewellery, footwear, sportswear, accessories, and home furnishing products through partnerships with leading domestic and international brands. The Company operates a diversified retail network comprising Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs), Multi-Brand Outlets (MBOs), and wholesale distribution channels across India.At present, the Company operates 144 outlets across 8 states.Further, the Company also operates some outlets under the GST registrations of certain brands.

 
Unsupported Rating
­Not Applicable
 
Analytical Approach
­Acuité has taken a standalone view of the business and financial risk profile of ALBL to arrive at the rating.
 
Key Rating Drivers

Strengths

Established Market presence with long term association with reputed brands:
The promoters, Mr. Sunit Mishra and Ms. Kalpna Mishra, have over two decades of experience in the distribution and retailing of branded products. Their strong understanding of market dynamics, coupled with healthy relationships with suppliers and customers, has enabled the company to establish a presence across 8 states through a network of 144 outlets. The company has been associated with more than 15 brands across various product categories, including footwear, apparel, jewellery, and others, for over a decade. It is functioning both in B2B and B2C segments. Acuité believes that ALBL will continue to benefit from the promoters' extensive experience, established market presence, and longstanding associations with multiple-reputed brands.

Steady scale of operations:
The company recorded revenue of Rs. 251.56 crore in FY2026 (Prov.), compared with Rs. 214.65 crore in FY2025 and Rs. 194.82 crore in FY2024, driven primarily by increased demand in its footwear segment. Of the total revenue in FY2026, the apparel division contributed 52%, while the footwear division accounted for the remaining 48%. Furthermore, the Company has recorded Rs. 83.23 crores in 4MFY27 as compared to Rs. 57.87 crore in 4MFY26, indicates medium term revenue growth. The company's operating profitability improved, with the EBITDA margin increasing to 9.84% in FY2026 (Prov.) from 9.21% in FY2025, mainly due to a decline in material costs, reflecting improved operating efficiency. Consequently, the PAT margin also improved to 3.08% in FY2026 (provisional) from 2.66% in FY2025. Acuité believes that the company's scale of operations is likely to improve going forward; however, the sustainability of profitability levels will remain key monitorable.

Moderate Financial Risk Profile:
The financial risk profile of ALBL stood moderate marked by improved net worth, high gearing, and moderate coverage indicators. Total tangible net worth increased to Rs. 44.03 crore in FY 26 (Prov.) from Rs. 36.26 crore in FY 25 driven by accretions to reserves. Total borrowings increased to Rs. 89.48 crore in FY 26 (Prov.) from Rs. 61.83 crore in FY 25 resulting in increasing in gearing ratio to 2.03 times in FY 26 (Prov.) from 1.71 times in FY 25. Debt protection metrics stood moderate with Interest coverage ratio and Debt service coverage ratio stood at 2.83 and 1.50 times in FY 26 (Prov.) as against 2.70 and 1.64 times in FY 25. TOL/TNW and debt/EBITDA ratio stood at 3.33 and 3.44 times in FY 26 (Prov.). Acuite believes financial risk profile is expected to remain moderate in the medium term in absence of any major debt funded capex plan.


Weaknesses

Intensive Working Capital Cycle:
The company's working capital cycle remains intensive, with Gross current Asset days stood at 200 days in FY2026 (Prov.) as against 203 days in FY2025, primarily due to the high inventory holding requirements inherent in its retail operations. Inventory days increased to 197 days in FY 26 (Prov.) from 186 days in FY 25, reflecting the need to maintain adequate stock across multiple product categories, colours,and sizes to ensure product availability. However, inventory risk remains moderated as around 70-75% of the inventory comprises fast-moving stock sold at MRP, while the remaining 25-30% consists of old stock that is either sold at a discount or returned to the respective brands at cost. The company's debtor days improved to 17 days in FY2026 (Prov.) from 32 days in FY2025. Creditor days improved to 121 days in FY 26 (Prov.) from 170 days in the previous year, supported by a diversified supplier payment structure comprising credit-based arrangements (40-50% of suppliers), cash deposit arrangements (30-40%), and cash-and-carry arrangements (5-10%). Acuité believes the company's working capital intensity will continue to remain high over the medium term, given the nature of its operations.

Geographical Concentration:
The company currently has a presence across eight states, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana, and Bihar, among others. Of the total store network, 123 stores are located in Uttar Pradesh, contributing around 87% of the company's overall revenue. While the company's operations continue to be concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, it has been gradually expanding its presence in Karnataka and Telangana to diversify its geographical reach. Further, the company plans to enter Jharkhand and intends to open approximately 3-5 new stores in the near term. Acuité believes that the company's established presence in Uttar Pradesh, along with its ongoing geographical expansion, will support business growth over the medium term.

Presence in a competitive ready-made garments (RMG) and accessories industry
The Company operates in the highly competitive RMG and fashion accessories retail industry, characterized by the presence of numerous organized and unorganized players, changing consumer preferences, and intense pricing pressure. The Company's performance remains exposed to fluctuations in consumer spending and its ability to maintain product quality, pricing, and brand appeal amidst strong market competition.

Rating Sensitivities

Potential triggers (individual or collective) for an upward rating action:
­
  1. Improvement in scale of operation along with improvement in margins
  2. If gearing comes below 1.50 times and improvement in financial risk profile
Potential triggers (individual or collective) for a downward rating action:
­
  1. If scale of operation declined to Rs.200 crore or less
  2. Any further elongation in working capital cycle
Liquidity Position
Adequate

Liquidity stood adequate marked by net cash accruals of Rs.14.09 crore against the long-term debt repayment of Rs. 6.36 crore in FY 26 (Prov.). The current ratio stood at 1.07 times in FY 26 (Prov.). The NCA is expected to be Rs. 15-18 crore against the repayment of Rs.6-8 Cr. The company has maintained cash and bank balances of Rs. 2.10 crore in FY 26 (Prov.). The Company has maintained investments of Rs.6.33 crore in FY 26 (Prov.) in the form of Mutual funds and FDs. Fund base BLU stood at 93% for six months ended July 26. Recently in union bank their CC limit has been enhanced from Rs.22.50 crore to Rs.38.50 crore to further managing their working capital smoothly. Acuite believes that liquidity is expected to remain adequate in the medium term supported by steady accruals against the long term debt repayment.

 
Outlook: Stable
­
 
Other Factors affecting Rating
­None
 

Particulars Unit FY 26 (Provisional) FY 25 (Actual)
Operating Income Rs. Cr. 252.73 214.65
PAT Rs. Cr. 7.77 5.71
PAT Margin (%) 3.08 2.66
Total Debt/Tangible Net Worth Times 2.03 1.71
PBDIT/Interest Times 2.83 2.70
Status of non-cooperation with previous CRA (if applicable)

OCRA, vide its press release dated May 08th , 2026 had denoted the rating of Abacus Lifestyle Brands Limited as "B-/Negative/A4" DOWNGRADED AND ISSUER NOT CO-OPERATING’.

 
Any other information
­None
 
Applicable Criteria
• Default Recognition :- https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-52.htm
• Application Of Financial Ratios And Adjustments: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-53.htm
• Trading Entities: https://www.acuite.in/view-rating-criteria-61.htm
Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument


Rating History :
­Not Applicable
 

Lender’s Name ISIN Facilities Listing Status Regulated By Date Of Issuance Coupon Rate Maturity Date Quantum
(Rs. Cr.)
Complexity Level Rating
AXIS BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Bank Guarantee (BLR) Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 6.50 Simple ACUITE A3 | Assigned
AXIS BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 22.50 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned
Union Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Cash Credit Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 22.50 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned
Union Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Covid Emergency Line. Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 31 Oct 2026 0.12 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned
AXIS BANK LIMITED Not avl. / Not appl. Dropline Overdraft Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 26 Aug 2032 3.02 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned
Not Applicable Not avl. / Not appl. Proposed Long Term Bank Facility Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 2.61 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned
Union Bank of India Not avl. / Not appl. Term Loan Unlisted RBI Not avl. / Not appl. Not avl. / Not appl. 14 Dec 2029 1.75 Simple ACUITE BBB- | Stable | Assigned
Note:- For activities or ratings of instruments falling under the purview of Financial Sector Regulators other than SEBI, the grievance / dispute redressal mechanisms and investor protection mechanisms provided by SEBI shall not be available.

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