Reliance Brands Ltd, an arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, has signed a long-term franchise agreement with 130-year-old Dutch lingerie makerHunkemöller International BV, which it will bring to India by March next year. The two firms are looking to open 20 Hunkemöller single-brand stores in India in the first five-year phase of the partnership. Lingerie is the latest addition to the portfolio of Reliance Brands that has largely catered to men with casual wear brands such as Diesel, Superdry,Gas and tailored brands such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Brooks Brothers and Pink. Last year, it expanded into women’s fashion in partnerships withBCBG Max Azria (BCBG) and Juicy Couture. Such big way retail store opening plan of the two companies will bring in a fresh business opportunity for the signage companies dealing in in-shop designs, displays and related activities.
