Harley-Davidson, the motorcycle maker based in the US, expects benefits of expanding their apparel retail stores in India, by engaging and inspiring potential customers to buy their luxury bikes (as well).
The company is planning to open 8-12 stores in western and northern parts of the country this year.
Harley-Davidson has signed a deal with the US-based clothing company, G-III Apparel Group, to create, design and retail their apparel products across the Asian market. The agreement between the two US companies states that G-III will create a network for Harley’s apparel stores in the Asia-Pacific market.
Karen Davidson, Creative Director, Harley-Davidson Motorclothes, revealed that the next two stores will be opened in Varanasi and Goa. Previously, the company had opened stores in Kolkata, Siliguri (West Bengal), Dimapur (Nagaland) and Imphal (Manipur).
“We are looking to gradually grow our number of stores in India. We are still thinking about it, anyone who comes to the brand comes through our merchandise. This is how we get to the dreamers,” she said.
Karen further mentioned that this partnership with G-III goes along with the company’s continuing strategy to build the next generation riders with lifestyle apparel.
The brand, on May 21, 2018, opened a store at South City Mall in Kolkata as well.
Since the day Harley-Davidson started its retail operations in the Indian market, the company claims that it has made a huge impact on their popularity and that has resulted in sales of more than 20,000 motorcycles.
In India, there is a very less percentage of women who account for Harley-Davidson’s sales in the country and speaking on the same, Karen elucidated that in the US the percentage of women bikers is around 12 per cent, while over here (India) it is still at a budding stage. The company hopes that ‘Ladies for Harley’ community can help to change the numbers in India.
