WHY INDIA IS THE FASTEST GROWING RETAIL PLAYGROUND FOR GLOBAL PLAYERS

With an expanding market and a youthful, globalized consumer base, the country is becoming a top destination for international brands looking to make a mark.

- BY ARITRA GHOSH

From lifestyle and fashion to kitchenware, the allure of India’s burgeoning middle class, evolving consumer preferences, and digital revolution has positioned the country as a top destination for international brands.

The Lure of India’s Retail Market

India’s retail market, currently valued at $850 billion, is poised to double over the next five to six years. Poppy Marshall-Lawton, Vice President of global lifestyle brand Laura Ashley, highlighted why India is central to the brand’s expansion strategy, “India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a dynamic population that’s highly attuned to global trends. Our target market of 25- to 35-year-olds—those investing in their first homes or newly married couples—is particularly exciting for us.”

India’s youth-driven consumerism and a growing appetite for premium and international brands underscore why brands like Laura Ashley find India irresistible. This demographic, increasingly influenced by global trends, seeks quality, design, and innovation—factors that international brands are well-positioned to deliver.

India’s heritage as a global hub for textiles manufacturing adds another layer of attraction for brands like Laura Ashley.

The Expanding Consumer Base

Anand Baldawa, CEO of thinKitchen, emphasized the diversity within India’s consumer segments. “Today, the decision-maker for kitchenware has shifted from the mother or mother-in-law to the daughter or daughterin-law. What’s more fascinating is the geographic spread—our orders come from Tier III and Tier IV cities as much as they do from metros,” he noted.