Global luxury brands knock at India gate
DLF Ltd’s Emporio mall in Delhi in 2025. Last week, France’s SMCP, the parent company of accessible luxury brands Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac, also announced its entry into the Indian market in partnership with Reliance Industries-owned Reliance Brands Ltd (RBL). In a sign of growing appetite for luxury goods in India, Emporio is looking to add new outlets and is in talks with multiple European brands.
“We are looking at 6-7 uber luxury openings at Emporio and our other mall, The Chanakya, over the next six months," Pushpa Bector, DLF’s senior executive director for the retail division, said. In terms of rental structure, the Gurugram-based developer will continue to follow the minimum guarantee and revenue-sharing approach with retail partners, she added. In past month alone, two new malls dedicated to luxury were launched, including Mumbai’s Jio World Plaza and the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru.
“India is experiencing an economic growth with which a cultural shift is happening. The country’s luxury market is projected to grow three times over the next seven years. I see huge potential and am opening stores across markets," said Gaurav Gupta, a designer.
“One would be surprised at the kind of couture being consumed in the country. Big conglomerates are taking India’s luxury very seriously now, and that is a big sign of development." Global luxury brands are also increasingly turning to local collaborations and capsule collections, trying to make inroads into a burgeoning market. “It’s about showing the world that they’re invested in India," said Raahuul Kapoor, founding partner of Luxury Ampersand Frolics.
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