The diversified group owns the rights to distributorship of these brands in Dubai and in countries like India. "We plan to open two Porsche Design stores in Mumbai and Delhi in 2007," disclosed TN Pratap, CEO of Bin Hendi.
Porsche Design is a high-end accessories brand with a portfolio, which extends to products like eyewear, writing instruments, watches, shoes and now sportswear. Pratap says that they are close to signing up locations at five star hotels in Mumbai and Delhi for the initial outlets.
In addition to this, the company, which has already brought in brands Hugo Boss and Versace JC to India, is looking at bringing in more premium fashion brands to India in both men's and women's wear soon.
While casual brand GF Ferre is one option they are considering, Pratap was tightlipped on which other brands were likely to be introduced. Some of the other group brands include CK Jeans, Brioni and Zilly.
The group, which has interests in the food business too, is also planning on launching Cafe Havana and Inferno Grill in India soon. While Cafe Havana is a large coffee shop format along with a restaurant menu, Inferno is a grill restaurant.
The company has just opened its first restaurant Cafe Japengo in Mumbai and plans to take this up to 10 restaurants in the six metros as phase one of the rollout.
Pratap said that while at present India is a very small part of the company's overall business, in five years it was expected to overtake the groups business in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East.
This is despite the decision of the group to continue its focus on the premium space and steer clear of the mass market.
With the Indian consumer becoming more conscious, a number of high-end international brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and now Fendi are also coming in.
Pratap said that while the entry of new brands would grow the market for luxury brands in India, it was also important to provide the right infrastructural support for the brands in terms of suitable retail space and other facilities to attract more players into the country.
While the company is not actively considering introducing any brand under the 51 per cent FDI option available, Pratap said they were open to the idea.
