UK's Dune to increase India sourcing

British shoes and accessories brand Dune, which entered India in 2012 with Reliance Brands, plans to increase sourcing of finished

products from the country. The increased sourcing would help it cater to rise in demand at its stores across the world. The company is also looking at expanding its retail presence in the country.

The company currently sources its products from China, Brazil, Portugal and Italy, with India contributing just 2 percent to its total production. The brand currently operates four stores in partnership with Reliance Brands.

Reliance Brands operates as many as 98 stores of 15 international fashion brands and expects to close the year with 115 stores. A strong competitor to apparel retailers like Arvind and Madura in the Indian branded retail market, Reliance Brands (RBL), despite completing only four years of operations is racing ahead of others. From one Diesel store in 2010, RBL today has 40 brands across segments, including luxury labels like BCBG Max Azaria, Ermenegildo Zegna and Stuart Weitzman retailing through 150 points of sales. Plans are in the pipeline to bring more fashion brands into India, apart from establishing the position of existing stores and exploring investment opportunities in Indian fashion labels.