Last month, a video of actor Shilpa Shetty at the Mumbai airport was doing the rounds on social media. Incidentally, it wasn’t her airport look that stole the show. What turned a lot of heads was the suitcase that she was seen riding on with her daughter on her lap. In the video, Shetty looks effortlessly chic as she zips out on her ‘luggage scooter’—showcasing an innovative and nifty way to exit the airport.
The product in question is an electric motorised luggage carrier that can double up as a transport vehicle to commute inside the airport. The carrier is lightweight, foldable and comes equipped with an electric motor to easily switch between ride-on mode and pull-behind mode. The storage pockets come in different sizes to place documents, data cables and notebooks, and can take a maximum load of 110 kg with a speed of 13 kmph.
In an age of experiential travel, smart and multifunctional products like Shetty’s electric motorised luggage carrier are making journeys more convenient and hassle-free. The idea is to have a connected and effortless travel and brands like Airwheel SE3S—maker of the electric motorised luggage carrier, besides Safari, VIP, Samsonite and others—are cashing in on the trend by offering a versatile collection of smart luggage to suit different travel needs.
Today, four facets play an important role in people’s lives—eat, sleep, breathe and travel, says Sudip Ghose, founder and MD of Acefour Accessories, a travel accessories startup that launched Uppercase as a contemporary, sustainable luggage brand in 2022. “The baggage industry will never lose its charm and its consumption is only growing with the increase in marriages, travel needs and school kids every year,” adds Ghose, who spent more than a decade in various leadership roles across companies such as Samsonite and VIP Industries, and built some successful brands in the segment such as American Tourister, Skybags, Lavie and Caprese, before launching Acefour Accessories.
These multifunctional options have moved on from the traditional, monotoned suitcases to thoughtfully designed and vibrant luggages in all shapes and sizes, and for all age groups.
Whether we’re talking about expandable bags with compartments for laptops, iPads, notebooks, wallets, optional clothes and adjustable shoulder straps or security enhancement features like anti-theft zippers to protect belongings against unauthorised access and add an extra layer of protection, they are all there to make your travel easier.
Tech it all
One can now see innovation in growth and range across brands. “In the affordable range, we continue to see over 40% y-o-y growth on brands like Safari, Kamiliant and Aristocrat, reflecting the burgeoning e-commerce landscape in tier 3/4 cities. In the premium range, we have witnessed double growth on global brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Samsonite and Delsey Paris. It is interesting to observe the emergence of D2C brands like Mokobara, Nasher Miles and Uppercase that are redefining travel luggage with their vibrant designs and utility-focused innovations,” says Saurabh Srivastava, vice-president, Amazon Fashion India.
While size and functionality remain crucial, travellers are increasingly seeking style, innovation and personalisation. While hardcase trolleys reign supreme, driven by wider design and colour options, soft luggage still holds ground for weddings and students travelling abroad. Smart features are gaining traction with anti-theft designs, charging ports, expandable bags, and packing organisers finding favour across backpacks and luggages.
“This year, we anticipate a shift towards gender-inclusive styles, minimalist designs and the integration of smart travel technology, all underpinned by vibrant colour palettes and utilitarian functionality. Brands like Samsonite, VIP and Mokobara have leveraged the platform to introduce innovative features such as GPS tracking, built-in scales, USB charging ports, smart locking mechanisms and smart compartments. These advancements are changing the way travellers look at luggage and enhancing convenience,” adds Srivastava. The e-commerce platform has seen a 4x y-o-y rise in business in this category.
Similarly, VIP has been at the forefront of tech in the luggage industry—from bags that would open only one way to proximity indicators. “We are launching luggage that combines technology with functionality. For example, the Airtron range is the lightest, Highlander is more like an all-terrain luggage, and Maestro is the toughest. We are working on many other innovations about which we will speak closer to the launch in the near future,” says Neetu Kashiramka, MD, VIP Industries.
For Samsonite, breaking innovation is a product called Proxis that is made out of Roxkin, a proprietary material that creates, as the name indicates, a protective skin that is as strong as a rock and as thin and lightweight as skin. It will be launched on Amazon this month,” says Jai Krishnan, CEO, Samsonite.
While advancement in luggage comes in the form of how to make it lighter and stronger, the smartness comes in the form of wheels and zippers, says Ghose of Acefour Accessories.
“We are making luggage out of plastic bottles. Our hard case trolley is designed to withstand the pressure of 628 elephants. We have saved 1.4 million plastic bottles in the past 18 months,”
adds Ghose, whose cabin-size trolley bags start from a price ranging between `3,400 and `5,000.
In the past 18 months, Ghose’s Uppercase has seen 61% q-o-q growth, and is making products made from recycled plastic, following strict protocols in energy management or waste disposal and without the use of hazardous chemicals.
Growing in size
Lifestyle brand Three Sixty Leather has seen a demand for secure and travel-friendly luggage and accessories. As per Vikash Gupta, its founder and CEO,
the company has collaborated with Tag8, a comprehensive lost-and-found recovery service.
“Features such as TSA-approved locks, anti-theft bags, and RFID blocking technology have witnessed a surge in popularity among consumers. Additionally, the integration of tracking technology for lost luggage has become indispensable. We have partnered with Tag8, a renowned global track and trace solutions company to ensure that our travel accessories and luggage prioritise security and convenience,” says Gupta.
The product line-up includes innovative devices like the dolphin tracker and smart tags for luggage, among others. Leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, these smart devices enable travellers to effortlessly track their personal belongings whenever their mobile device is within proximity of the tracker.
Similarly, Safari Bags’ trolley bags brand Polaris is made from contemporary polycarbonate and offers superior travel comfort. Polaris is equipped with a recessed TSA (transportation security administration) lock and anti-theft zipper for extra security along with double wheels.
Amid the rise in innovation, luggage brands are also witnessing a growth in retail expansion. Recently, D2C luggage brand Mokobara raised $12 million in funding from Peak XV Partners. The brand was founded in early 2020, and has till date opened seven brick-and-mortar outlets across cities such as Bangalore, Gurugram, Mumbai and Pune.
“Our stores are not just points of sale; they are sanctuaries for travellers who seek both fashion and functionality in their journey. We are not just opening stores; we are curating experiences that resonate with travellers,” says Sangeet Agrawal, founder of Mokobara, adding that the company has plans to inaugurate 25 stores by April.
