Playboy plans to India entry through Goa

One of the world’s top 25 brands, Hugh Hefner’s

Playboy, whose merchandise builds on the popular rabbit-head logo and the magazine famous for nudity, is contemplating launching retail stores and on opening of a chain of clubs, bars and cafes in India starting with Goa within the next five years. The first such upscale club is set to open its doors y mid-December on Goa’s Candolim Beach, making it the first beach location for Playboy globally. Insiders say, while bunnies will continue to remain an attraction, it won’t be the main one, it will definitely depart from their traditional attire of satin bodices, blow ties, cuffs and trademark ears. Playboy is looking to lure members with the glamour quotient, good music, gourmet food and beverages, celebrity chefs and special events.

PB Lifestyle is bringing the brand to India and according to is CEO Sanjay Gupta, while costumes of the bunnies, are integral to the Playboy culture, will be based on Indian sensibilities and morals. And the clubs will not have any nudity. With an investment of Rs 200 crores, Playboy will operate in India through PB Lifestyle, co-owned by Parag Sanghvi and Jeetendra Jain. The Mumbai-based entity has won the brand licence to open over 120 Playboy formats, which will be a mix of retail outlets, clubs, hotels and fashion cafes, in the next 10 years.