France’s iconic luxury department store, Galeries Lafayette, is all set to enter India with its first store in Mumbai, in partnership with the Aditya Birla Group’s retail arm, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL). The grand opening is expected in early November, marking a new milestone for India’s fast-growing luxury retail sector. A second store is already planned for Delhi, signaling the brand’s confidence in India’s appetite for high-end shopping experiences.
A Landmark Partnership in Indian Luxury Retail
Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said that the partnership represents a “coming-of-age moment for Indian luxury retail.” He noted that a new generation of Indian consumers is young, ambitious, and globally connected, and increasingly views luxury as a statement of aspiration and identity.
ABFRL already manages several international premium brands in India such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, and Reebok. The addition of Galeries Lafayette strengthens its play in the premium and luxury segment, as it competes with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail, which also has strong luxury partnerships.
Ria Sahni
Why Galeries Lafayette Chose India
Arthur Lemoine, CEO of Galeries Lafayette, said India is a strategic and fast-growing market with a strong base of luxury consumers. “Indian shoppers already buy luxury brands across the world – in Dubai, Singapore, the UK, and especially in our Paris store. Clearly, there is a lack of luxury department stores within India,” he said.
Galeries Lafayette’s flagship store in Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, is one of the most famous luxury destinations in the world. It attracts around 35 million visitors every year, making it the second most-visited tourist spot in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. With its entry into India, the brand hopes to replicate some of that prestige and experience for Indian customers.
Tapping into India’s Growing Affluent Class
India’s luxury market is expanding rapidly, driven by rising incomes and a growing number of affluent, globally exposed consumers. These customers are increasingly looking for premium shopping experiences that combine international brands, elegant design, and personalized service.
For Galeries Lafayette, India represents not only a new market but also a long-term growth opportunity. The Mumbai store, expected to open its doors in early November, will offer Indian shoppers access to global fashion houses, designer labels, and lifestyle products under one roof, an experience similar to what the Paris flagship is known for.
As Birla summed up, “A new India is emerging, one that embraces luxury as a reflection of aspiration and identity.”
With this partnership, both Galeries Lafayette and Aditya Birla Group are set to redefine India’s luxury retail landscape, bringing a slice of Parisian elegance to Mumbai and soon, to Delhi.
Sakshi Jadhav
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