Alfred Dunhill tastes success in India

Indian men seem to have started integrating luxury as a

part of their lives in a big way. Perhaps that is why British luxury goods major Alfred Dunhill, is doing so well here. The main attraction for this brand is that it offers a complete wardrobe solution for the modern Indian male. The brand specializes in premium men’s luxury leather goods, writing implements, lighters, timepieces, fragrances and clothing. S Kumars Nationwide (SKNL) — one of the leading textile and apparel companies of India with brands like S Kumars, Reid &Taylor, Belmonte and Carmichael House in its kitty — owns the exclusive franchisee rights for Alfred Dunhill in India.

Anjani Kasliwal, Director, SKNL says they are witnessing a huge demand for Alfred Dunhill in the three years of operations in India and going forward they expect this growth story to pick up pace even further. According to Kasliwal, the market for luxury brands in India is still in its nascent stage, but it is growing rapidly. Currently, the brand has two standalone stores in India – Delhi and Bangalore. The company will set up two additional stores in Mumbai and Hyderabad next year. Moreover the company is also in talks to bring in other international brands in 2011. Meanwhile SKNL, the Rs 3,840crore textile and apparel major, which also retails Brandhouse Oviesse, a joint venture between SKNL’s fashion retail business Brandhouse Retail and Italian apparel retailer Oviesse, intends to expand its presence in Tier-II cities.