Reliance Retail to Introduce Six Global Brands to India by 2025 Under Isha Ambani's Leadership

17 May 2024

Following the successful introduction of beauty retailer Sephora to India last year, Reliance Retail is set to launch several new brands in 2024 and 2025.

Founded in 2006, Reliance Retail, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has become the largest retailer in India by revenue. In 2022, Mukesh Ambani, the chairperson of Reliance Industries, handed over the leadership of the retail business to his daughter, Isha Ambani. Since then, numerous popular brands have entered the Indian market. According to recent reports, the father-daughter duo plans to introduce six additional global brands to India within the next 12 months.

Reliance's efforts to bring more global brands to India have been bolstered by the opening of India’s largest luxury mall, Jio World Plaza, located in Mumbai's commercial district of Bandra Kurla Complex. This mall, owned by Reliance Retail’s parent company, Reliance Industries Ltd., features a wide array of global brand outlets.

Here are the anticipated brands set to make their debut in India through Reliance Retail:

• Old Navy: Reliance Retail is actively seeking opportunities to introduce Old Navy, a prominent brand under the US fashion conglomerate Gap Inc., to India. This move follows Reliance's successful partnership as the Indian franchisee of the Gap brand.

• Armani Cafe: Reliance is in negotiations with the Milan-based luxury company Giorgio Armani to bring its Michelin-starred Armani/Caffè to India. This upscale café chain is expected to open at Jio World Plaza, offering a refined café experience.

• Asos: Discussions are underway between Reliance and the British online fast-fashion retailer Asos Plc regarding the potential introduction of the UK brand to India. Should an agreement be reached, Reliance plans to retail Asos products through its online platform, Ajio.com, as well as offline through its Centro department store chain.

• Shein: Three years after the ban of the Chinese fashion giant's Shein app in India, Reliance Retail intends to reintroduce the brand through a strategic partnership. The Indian government has approved the Reliance Retail-Shein partnership, which will encompass the sourcing, manufacturing, and retail of Shein products.

• EL&N Café: EL&N Café, a boutique café group from the UK, has established a franchise partnership with Reliance Brands to open outlets in India, marking EL&N Café’s expansion into its eighth global market. The first EL&N café in India is scheduled to open in 2024 on the second level of the Jio World Plaza.

• Sandro and Maje: Reliance has announced plans to introduce two luxury fashion brands, Sandro and Maje. Sandro is a premium luxury label catering to both men and women, while Maje is a cult favorite brand offering ready-to-wear and accessories collections for women. Both brands are owned by the SMCP Group, a French holding company specializing in accessible luxury ready-to-wear.

Reliance Retail, under the leadership of Isha Ambani, is set to significantly expand its portfolio by introducing a variety of esteemed global brands to the Indian market, enhancing the country's retail landscape.