Like 2023, this year too would see several apparel brands entering the vibrant Indian market. Global apparel brands such as Pull & Bear and Bershka from Spain’s Inditex group, best known to Indians for its Zara chain of clothing stores; fashion brands Sandro and Maje from France’s luxury group SMCP, American footwear retailer Foot Locker and France’s Galeries Lafayette are expected to launch their stores in India.
Factors like the country’s expanding consumer preferences and burgeoning retail sector, are the main drivers of surging interest for international brands. Large conglomerates like Reliance and Aditya Birla are also amenable to collaborations with international brands.
While Sandro and Maje have tie-ups with Reliance Brands, Galeries Lafayette has a strategic partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail and Foot Locker has a tie-up with Metro Brands. Sandro and Maje, say retail experts, will launch at the Jio World Plaza in BKC, Pull & Bear is expected to open its doors at the Pheonix Palladium in Lower Parel and Galaries Lafayette has taken up space at Fort in Mumbai for its proposed launch in India this year.
According to a report by consultancy Cushman and Wakefield, the supply of new retail space in the country’s top eight cities will continue to be high as developers strive to meet rising demand from retailers. Last year, as many as 11 shopping malls became operational, covering nearly 6 million sq.ft. of space across the top eight cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata.
