Children’s Place may form JV with Arvind for India entry

America’s largest kid’s apparel player, Children's

Place may partner with Arvind for an India entry next year. As per media reports, both are already in advance stages of negotiation since the 2 billion dollars (over Rs 12,000 crores) retail chain is looking at expansion outside its core North American markets.

Nasdaq-listed Children's Place has more than 1,100 stores globally and will pose a direct competition for domestic kids’ wear players in India such as Gini & Jony, Lilliput along with other global labels present in the country including Benetton Kids, Tommy Hilfiger Kids, Zara Kids and Mothercare.

Recently, there was a buzz about San Francisco headquartered Gap Inc, the largest casual wear retailer in the US exploring a joint venture partnership with Arvind Brands. Earlier media reports hinted at Arvind negotiating a deal with Philip Van-Heusen Corp (PVH) to pick 49 percent stake in designer denim brand Calvin Klein.

After acquiring India operations of three major international apparel brands Debenhams, Next and Nautica, Arvind had signaled its strategy to grow bigger in the organised apparel market. Arvind Lifestyle Brands, a subsidiary of Arvind, already has an impressive brand line-up comprising Tommy Hilfiger, US Polo Assn, Elle, Geoffrey Beene, Arrow among others. Acquiring the business operations of Debenhams has also paved a way for it into the department store segment.