Armani & Mukesh Ambani's RIL to tap Indian retail market
23 Jun '06
2 min read
Clothing designer Georgio Armani and Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited are seeking retail partnership to enter Indian markets, shortly.
The Armani Group plans to put finishing touches to this deal during Armani's next visit to the country. Local franchisee for the Armani brand range will be Reliance Industries, which will be sold through exclusive boutique-like outlets.
According to sources, both companies have agreed to put emphasis on marketing strategy for the brand and products to be sold in India.
For the coming months, the flagship Giorgio Armani will launch its only two most popular fashion brands for young professionals in India that is, the flagship Giorgio Armani and the peppy Emporio Armani.
Furthermore, Reliance's retail initiative is all set to tap consumers, both at the top and bottom-end of the market spectrum. Meanwhile efforts are on trying to put its back-end supply chain in place prior to launch of its outlets next month, while a team has been sent abroad seeking partnerships in European markets with some of the top luxury brands.
Bijou Kurien, the former Titan Chief Operating Officer, is likely to lead Reliance's luxury business. The company, according to sources, is also in talks with another marquee name — Manolo Blahnik.
The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world with approx. 4,800 direct employees and 13 factories.
The Group designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home interiors, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani Prive, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, AJ | Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior and Armani Casa.
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