Dunhill debuts in India

English luxury menswear brand Dunhill will make its debut in India through a deal with local fashion company Brand House Retail. According to terms of the agreement, Dunhill will open two stores in Delhi and Mumbai this year. Next year will see the opening of stores in other major Indian cities. "The experience and know-how of SKNL (Brand House's parent company) in textiles, retailing and the market place makes them a natural fit with Alfred Dunhill and creates a solid platform on which to build a strong and prosperous business in Inida," Tarun Joshi, chief executive of Brand House, told ET. The stores will all be designed in the Alfred Dunhill mould and will carry the full range of products.

According to ET, increasing incomes and exposure to international lifestyle through travel and media has created a desire for luxury brands in India. Recent research-based estimates have shown that there are over 1.6 million Indians who earn over $100,000 a year. This market is expected to grow and most luxury brands are recognizing its increasing importance. Companies like Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Cavalli, Ermenegildo Zegna and Dolce e Gabbbana are among those that have entered that market.