Next, Debenhams eye retail expansion through new partners

UK-based retailers Next and Debenhams are said to be

scouting for new partners in India to carry out expansion plans. Earlier media reports had said that Planet Retail has inked a 10-year master franchise agreement with Debenhams. The reports said that earlier, when Planet Retail brought the chain to India in 2007-08, it failed to make a mark due to its positioning and the preceding economic slowdown, but with changed positioning and focus on women’s category, Planet Retail was looking forward to achieving growth for the chain in India.

Next and Debenhams entered the market five years ago through a franchise deal with Planet Retail but have few operating stores in a growth market like India. The LSE-listed Next too is looking for a new partner and has initiated talks with potential partners such as DLF Brands after Planet Retail did not show keenness on renewing the existing deal.

In the recent past, many global brands have changed their India partners in view of poor performance. While Versace and Corneliani decided to split with their Delhi-based partner Blues Clothing Company, Guess tied up with Major Brands, which markets Mango, Aldo and Bebe in India, after its long-time partner Planet Retail decided to restructure its business. The American clothing maker will now tie up with Major Brands, the marketer of Mango and Aldo in India. Recently, German fashion brand s.Oliver too had snapped a joint venture with garment exporter Orient Craft, replacing it with a Germany-based NRI business group to speed up expansion in India.