Indian leather goods brand plans domestic expansion
Indian leather goods exporter Gaitonde is planning to push its own domestic brand through a joint venture with clothes retailer Color Plus. The two firms are to take on retail space together and start a new chain of shops, selling each other's brands under one roof. Gaitonde already has 6 exclusive stores in India, but is choosing to expand through co-operation with Color Plus, and would also consider bringing in another compatible brand in the future.
The Gaitonde group is an exporter of leather footwear, garments, finished leather and accessories. For over 30 years the group has supplied some of the world's top brands such as Clarks, K-Shoes, German brands, Galori, Hogl and French brand Arcus. However, the economic development of India in recent years has led some international players to see it as a potentially lucrative market, and Gaitonde does not want to lose out in its home territory.
In India the Gaitonde label is associated with formal shoes in the premium category and the joint venture represents an attempt to move into the mainstream. The first stores will be in Delhi, before the concept is rolled out to other cities.
