Buoyed by the success of Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior among upper circuit Indian consumers, other French luxury lifestyle majors Estee Lauder Companies Inc and Jean Paul Gaultier have also announced plans to set shop in India.
Estee Lauder would introduce the 'Donna Karan' range of fragrances in India by the year- end, while setting up stores to retail other products like its colour cosmetic line 'M-A-C' and skin-care brand 'Clinique'.
"Our products like the Donna Karen fragrances, and M-A-C and Clinique would be available in the domestic market. The country holds tremendous potential for us and the next five years are crucial for our growth plans in India," Estee Lauder group president Patrick Bouquet-Chavanne told PTI on the sidelines of the Hindustan Times-Mint Luxury Conference in New Delhi on Friday.
The company is setting up its flagship store for Clinique in the national capital and said it is open to forge alliances with retail stores as well to market the brand.
"We are in discussions with stores like Shoppers' Stop and would like to see our company grow at a regular pace here. We are looking to open 3-4 stores in the next few years for our range," Chavanne said.
Without divulging financial details, he said the company was working at an investment strategy for the Indian region, adding that "the country is on top of the company's investment priorities".
Another major French luxury brand the Indian consumers would soon see is apparel and accessory major Jean Paul Gaultier, which would be introducing its range of beauty products, ready-to-wear apparel and accessories in India.
Not wanting to retail its range through a store in a hotel, the company would be setting up an exclusive store in the capital in May this year.
"We would set up 6-7 points of sale in the country in the next 3-5 years in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore," Jean Paul Gaultier chief executive officer Christophe Caillaud said, adding that the stores could be exclusive outlets or shop-in-shops at retail outlets.
The company would retail its entire range of products at its stores in India, except its haute couture line, which is sold exclusively in Paris and has tied up with the Sachdev Group, which would be its franchisee in India.
Jean Paul Gaultier has has been retailing its range of perfumes in India for the past four years.
With "sound investment plans lined up for India", Caillaud said while the company's core collection would be available at stores here, other products, suiting the Indian climate and requirements of the Indian consumers, would also be made available.
