Previously, the retailer has only sold Stephens Brothers’ traditional shirt offer in UK department stores, but opened the doors on its first store in Delhi earlier this month.
Austin Reed is set to open a further two shops in Mumbai before the end of month and five in other Indian cities by the end of February. The Indian stores will sell the entire range of mens- and womenswear.
Austin Reed has 23 concessions in India through its retail partner Shopper’s Stop. The Indian retail market is worth£162 million, a figure set to double by 2015.
Austin Reed has also agreed a licence deal with a new partner in Japan, where it sells its shirts through concessions in third-party stores.
Chief executive Nick Hollingworth said that both India and Japan are markets where strong British brands can flourish.
“These markets recognise really good quality, which British brands are known for, and they do very well in both countries,” he said. He added that he is looking for other potential international markets to launch the Stephens Brothers brand in.
The retailer, which was bought by private equity firm Dawnay Day in January, sells through more than 1,000 retail outlets internationally and is set to open its first franchised store in Kuwait next year.
Hollingworth was bullish about Christmas, saying trade was so strong, the retailer may “not now open on Christmas Eve”.
He said that the launch of its more fashion-focused, 40-piece AR Red range last week at 10 of its Austin Reed stores had been well received by customers.
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