DLF inks pact with US accessories brand Claire

Source: The Hindu Business Line, Mar 14, 2012

New Delhi: DLF Brands and American fashion accessories brand Claire have entered into a franchise agreement to open at least 30 stores in the next three years. The retail arm of DLF Group has a slew of international brands under its umbrella including Boggi Milano, DKNY, Alcott, Sunglass Hut, ELC, Mothercare. “The first-ever Claire store in Delhi is a 100 per cent franchised store and is part of our overall strategy of bringing new range of product lines to our customers. The fashion accessories market in India is largely dominated by unbranded players, therefore we see a huge market potential for branded players in this segment,” Mr Dipak Agarwal, Chief Executive, Operations and Strategy, DLF Brands, said. He said the market for accessories is estimated at Rs 1,000 crore and is growing at about 20 per cent. “We have seen a growth of about 23-28 per cent in the last two years. DLF Brands has always been very selective of the brands that we introduce to the Indian customers. We are hopeful of a good response for the Claire’s store and plan to open over 30 such stores across India in the next three years.” Claire’s products are priced between Rs 300 and Rs 3,000.

Indian ethnic wears outsmart foreign brands in demand

Source: The Economic Times, Mar 13, 2012

MUMBAI: Despite high-end foreign luxury brands bombarding the Indian market with their products, domestic retailers are pushing the ‘desi’ wear as there is an increasing demand for them, especially among women.

“There is a significant rise in demand for women’s ethnic clothing. Organised players are going slow on it, but there is a big gap between the opportunity and what is being delivered today by organised players,” Future Group Joint Managing Director Rakesh Biyani said today.

Roberto Cavalli teams up with Manav Gangwani’s Infinite Luxury for Indian stores

Source: The Economics Times, Feb 17, 2012

NEW DELHI: Italian fashion brand Roberto Cavalli is set to enter India in partnership with start-up firm Infinite Luxury, which will also bring the designer’s Cafe Cavalli to the country.

Known for its bold patterns and exotic animal prints, Cavalli plans to open a 3,500 sq ft store at the ground floor of Delhi’s DLF Emporio Mall in May, a person familiar with the matter told ET.

The brand is looking to open a store in Mumbai as well, the person said, adding that plans are also afoot for setting up in different parts of the country Cafe Cavalli, on the lines of the group’s original cafes in Florence and Milan. The group’s other brand Just Cavalli has been in India for a few years.

Canali, Genesis form JV to sell products in India

Source: The Economic Times, Feb 13, 2012

NEW DELHI: Italian luxury major Canali has entered into a 51:49 joint venture with Genesis Luxury Fashion, which currently has distribution rights of Canali-branded products in India. The company also plans to invest Rs 7.65 crore in India. The joint venture company will now sell Canali branded products in India exclusively.

Armani to enter desi homeware market

Source: The Times of India, Feb 02, 2012

MUMBAI: Iconic Italian luxury brand Giorgio Armani is looking to bring its high-end homeware and furnishings retail stores to India in the next one year. A senior executive from the group told TOI that talks were ongoing with potential local partners even as the group scouts for retail spaces to open its Armani Casa outlets in India.

Abercrombie, Gap may plan shops in India

Source: Business standard, Jan 23, 2012

New Delhi: A team from Abercrombie & Fitch, a prominent American clothing chain, was in India recently to explore setting up shop in the country, according to a top executive of a consultancy firm.

Top Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Canali, Jimmy Choo eye huge profits from 100% retail FDI

Source: The Economic Times, Oct 05, 2011

NEW DELHI | BANGALORE: The world’s top luxury goods makers like Louis Vuitton, Canali, Jimmy Choo, among others, will be the biggest gainers if the government opens up single brand retail to 100% foreign direct investment. Currently, foreign companies can invest only up to 51% FDI in single brand retail firms, forcing them to tie-up and depend on their Indian franchises.

L Capital Asia, Groupe Arnault in fashion JV with Genesis Luxury Fashion

Source: The Economic Times, Aug 10, 2011

NEW DELHI: In a move that underlines the growing global appeal for Indian apparel, L Capital Asia, the private equity arm of the world’s largest luxury conglomerate LVMH Group, and Groupe Arnault is forming a 50:50 joint venture with Genesis Luxury Fashion to showcase ethnic haute couture.

The companies together are in talks to invest about Rs 80 crore initially, a person with direct knowledge of the development, told ET. “While L Capital Asia will bring in its knowledge and help create a multibrand system, Genesis will focus on retail distribution and infrastructure,” the person said.

The JV will act as a platform to promote and showcase work of budding designers besides established ones like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Rohit Bal and Tarun Tahiliani.

In response to an email query, Ravi Thakran, managing partner of L Capital Asia, said: “We are in the process of talking to designers who share our vision for creating a national footprint through a scalable business model. The products should have a distinct identity that resonates with the Indian ethos.”

He, however, declined to comment on the investment details of the JV firm. Sanjay Kapoor, MD of Genesis Luxury, was not available for comment. Industry insiders say that with rising consumerism in the country, the designer and luxury fashion wear segment is increasingly attracting investor interest in the country.

Last month, L Capital Asia acquired a 25.5% stake in Genesis Luxury for about Rs 100 crore and has plans to pick up another additional 14.5% stake in the company in the coming months. Established in 2008, Genesis Luxury is the group company of the privatelyheld Genesis Colors, bringing together a diverse range of brands from top-end men’s wear to travel accessories and bags, among others.

It has leading luxury brands, including Satya Paul, Canali, Paul Smith, Just Cavalli and Jimmy Choo, among others. While LVMH focuses exclusively on high-end luxury goods such as Louis Vuitton and Dior in its portfolio, L Capital has been investing in aspirational and luxury goods makers all over the world.

The fund, which has a corpus of $640 million plans to invest across segments in India, including lifestyle retail, consumer brands, beauty & wellness and hospitality. It is the fourth fund from L Capital and has already invested in a few companies in Asia.

Among other private equity transactions sealed in the luxury fashion wear segment, Franklin Templeton Private Equity Strategy acquired a 20% stake in Kimaya Fashions for about Rs 60 crore, valuing the Mumbai-based designer wear retailer at Rs 300 crore.

Australia’s Intraceuticals on an expansion drive in India

Source: The Economic Times, Aug 05, 2011

NEW DELHI: Australian skin care firm Intraceuticals today said it is in on an expansion drive in India to enhance brand presence as it looks to tap the fast growing Indian wellness services market estimated to be around Rs 1,100 crore.

As part of its expansion plan, the company has tied up with Bangalore-based Medihauxe International as the sole distributor of its products in India.

“Our focus in India is to multiply the number of locations that we are present. We are at a start-up stage right now. We want to first establish ourselves in the top 10 cities here,” Intraceuticals Regional Director (Asia and Middle East) Collen Chan said.

Intraceuticals is a professional skin care firm established in Melbourne, Australia in 2002. It specialises in spa treatments and sells skin care products in various skin and cosmetic clinics.

“We are present in six clinics in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore for Intraceutical procedures. We plan to expand to 50 clinics in all major and mini metros by 2013,” Medihauxe International Director Gururaj Pejavar said.

He said the company is in talks with leading medi-spas, hotel chains, resorts and cosmetic clinics in the country. On the back of these initiatives, Intraceuticals expects to achieve a turnover of Rs 12 crore by 2013.

Besides, the company is mulling at setting up exclusive concept shops for showcasing and selling their products in India. However, Chan said the firm’s focus currently is to strengthen its distribution network.

Rado unveils luxury jewellery collection

Source: The Hindu Business Line, July 14, 2011

Hyderabad: Swiss watchmaker Rado, a part of the world’s largest watch conglomerate The Swatch Group, today unveiled its luxury jewellery collection at the Rado boutique in Banjara Hills here.

The range features beautiful diamond studded watches. The Rado jewellery collection brings together an exclusive selection of the brand’s most celebrated products. These include full high-tech ceramic watch, Rado Sintra, the iconic Rado Ceramica and the classic linear perfection of Rado Integral.