Luxottica tied up with DLF to open sunglass stores in India

Luxottica, the Italian eyewear brand dealing in the design, manufacturing and distribution of premium fashion and luxury eyewear is all set to enter the Indian market. It has planned to open 100 Sunglass Hut Stores through a franchising agreement with DLF group. The stores will be opened in select high-end malls and premium locations across the country.

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Giorgio Armani enters India with flagship boutique

After the entry of high-end international brands like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Dunhill and others into the Indian market, fashion

luxury brand Giorgio Armani launched its flagship boutique and a store in the capital on Thursday. 

Both are located at the upmarket Emporio Mall at Vasant Kunj in south Delhi. "I am truly excited to finally have a presence in India. This country, which perfectly mixes the spirit of adventure, the sense of mystery and majesty with the principles of elegance, sophistication and modernity, has long been a wonderful source of inspiration to my collections," Giorgio Armani said in a statement. 

The Giorgio Armani boutique covers over 277 square metres on one floor of the mall as against the Emporio Armani store that covers an area of over 210 square metres. The boutique's interior is entirely dedicated to Giorgio Armani's signature women's and men's apparel and accessory prêt-a-porter collections. 

"The overarching theme is the creation of an intimate personal space with wardrobes and trunks showcasing the season's collections, where the defining materials are brushed silk," a company statement said. 

"The floor, finished with grey stone panels, creates a sophisticated ambience. A shiny dark ceiling provides a dramatic yet comforting effect which is further enhanced by the lighting design that plays with shadow and light creating focal areas. Invisible recessed lamps, transformed into spotlights, trace the contours or aim directly at the garments and objects on display," the statement added. 

The boutique also features an area dedicated to the new Giorgio Armani Hand Made to Measure service for men, the ultimate in customised luxury. One large wall projection of the current collection adds to the overall effect that blends craftsmanship with modernity in an unexpected way and presents the perfect surrounding for the world of Giorgio Armani. 

The two outlets are managed by a newly formed joint-venture company between the Giorgio Armani Group, that designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products, and the DLF Retail Brands Private Limited to form Giorgio Armani India Pvt Ltd. 

While the former has a 51 percent stake in the company, the latter has exclusive rights for the development of Armani retail stores throughout India. 

The Giorgio Armani Group designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of various brand names.

Source: Economic Times

Spar forays into India

Global food retail chain Spar started its Indian opeartions on Friday inaugrating the company's first supermarket at Hyderabad. 

The company has entered the Indian market under a licence agreement with global retail major Landmark Group's Indian subsidiary Max Hypermarkets, a release here said. 

Under the agreement, Max Hypermarkets will be responsible for the entire business operation- from capex outlay to day-to-day operations including the management of the supermarket, while Spar would provide knowledge transfer and technical expertise, it added. 

The 20,000 sq ft supermarket at Hyderabad offer products under categories like grocery, fruits and vegetables, bakery, dairy and take away foods, meat, poultry and fish, wine. 

It will also stock beer, tobacco, home textiles, personal care, crockery, kitchen appliances, travel and IT accessories, including imported items from Europe and South East Asia. Spar runs a series of supermarkets across 35 countries in four continents, the release added.

Source:Economic Times

Rosebys all set to enter India's home decor market

Global home fashion and lifestyle major Rosebys has kicked off its retail roll-out in India with plans to set up 650 exclusive stores by 2012 for which it has roped in Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan as brand ambassador.

Two years after its takeover by the USD 700 million Gujarat Heavy Chemicals (GHCL), Rosebys plans to penetrate the estimated Rs 10,000 crore Indian decor market using the franchise route with 600-1,200 sq ft stores in all metros and Tier-I and II cities.

"We will start our Indian roll-out with 150 franchise stores within the next six months in all metros, Tier-I and Tier-II cities. Our plan is to set up 650 stores by 2012," Rosebys Chief Executive Officer Aloke Banerjee said.

He said the company is planning to invest Rs 250 crore in advertisement and brand building during the next four years. "We are aiming for a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore by end of the 2011-12 fiscal. Our vision is to emerge as a leader in the affordable luxury brand segment," Banerjee said.

The company has signed up Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan as brand ambassador for its exclusive lines and collections.

Rosebys, which has 320 stores in the UK, is venturing into the Indian market with 75 design combinations prepared by its design houses in UK, USA and India.

Its product range include bed covers, bedsheets, towels, cushions, and adornments like photo frames, vases, candles, stainless steel ware and personal care products.

"To begin, we are introducing four broad lines with themes including Eco Chic, Geo Retro, Indulgence and Peony Garden," Banerjee said. "We are targeting the young women in 25-35 years age category for giving them an all-inclusive luxury home solutions at an affordable price," he added.

Source: Financial Express