India is poised to become the third largest consumption market of the world by 2026, according to a report by Fortune India. As of 2024, India is among the fastest growing economies in the world, which rebounded strongly after the  pandemic. One of the key factors attracting international brands to open shop in India is due to the country's growing middle class, which has an increasing disposable income. Additionally, over 50% of the nation's population is under 25 and over 65% is under 35, comprising mainly of millennials and GenZs, who have a penchant for spending on premium and luxury goods.

With more and more individuals being able to access the internet and in turn, become more fashion conscious and brand aware, has also contributed to a massive e-commerce boom in the country. This rapid urbanisation has opened avenues for brands to explore potent markets in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, which have large numbers of aspirational buyers and have become key growth markets for global brands. Another contributing factor is the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) coming out of India that are furthering demands for luxury brands. An average Indian consumer today knows what’s in trend, which are the best brands in the market and quality matters. So, it comes as no surprise that in 2024, we saw several global brands make their debut in India. Here they are:

1. Asos 

Reliance Retail partnered with the UK-based fast fashion retailer, Asos, to bring the brand to India. In August this year, ASOS made their Indian debut via the e-commerce platform Ajio.  

2. Maison Margiela 

Another brand that came to India in early 2024, was the French fashion and fragrance brand, Maison Margiela. Their unconventional debut first started as a small pop-up store in Mumbai’s Jio World Drive mall in partnership with Shoppers Stop and L’Oreal.

3. Foot Locker 

US’ most popular footwear and sportswear multi-brand retailer, Foot Locker, forayed into the Indian markets in October 2024 after striking a deal with Metro Brands and Nykaa Fashion. The former, who has over 700 stores across India and holds the exclusive ownership and management rights for the Foot Locker stores in India, while Nykaa Fashion will take care of the American brand’s website operations. The brand’s first Indian store in Delhi is located at the Nexus Select CityWalk Mall in Delhi.

4. Dockers

This isn’t the first time Dockers has come to India, they first made their debut in 2000 with parent brand, Levi-Strauss, but exited four years later. After a year’s break, they re-entered the Indian market only to exit once again in 2009 due to khakhi pants going out of style, with denims and formal pants taking over. The American apparel brand is back in 2024, thanks to its exclusive licensee Ace Turtle, who also brought other international brands like Lee, Wrangler, Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us to the country. The first store opened at the Pacific Mall in Delhi in February, and the second one opened in Dehradun in September. The brand plans on opening 20 stores over the next two years across the country. Apart from its own retail stores, Dockers is available to shop in stores like ShopperStop or via e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Myntra and Ajio.

5. Diptyque

The luxury French perfume brand Diptyque, which gained popularity among the masses for being the brand that is approved by celebrities ranging from Shah Rukh Khan to Elizabeth Olsen, was also among the brands that arrived in India in 2024. The brand opened its first store in Delhi’s Chanakya Mall in November and plans to open three more stores in the country in the coming five years. In fact, Laurence Semichon was also quoted as saying that they believe India could become their fastest growing market yet.

6. Abercrombie & Fitch Co, Hollister 

In early December, online fashion retailer Myntra announced a multi-year partnership with US apparel and accessory brand, Abercrombie & Fitch Co under which Myntra Jabong will not only build brick-and-mortar stores across the country, but will also leverage a network of licensed and independent third-party operators like regional e-commerce sites and branded digital storefronts in India. The stores are expected to launch next year, with online sales beginning in the second half of 2025.

7. Bershka and Pull&Bear  

News of Zara’s parent company, Inditex, launching their brands Bershka and Pull&Bear in India surfaced in June 2023, after Zara reported a 40% rise in sales that year. And at the time this story went into print, Bershka’s first store in India is almost ready to open doors at the new mall extension being built in Mumbai’s Phoenix Palladium Mall.

8. Shein

Following the ban of 2020, Chinese fast fashion retailer Shein may have found a safe route back to India. In July 2024, it was reported that Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail Ventures was looking to bring them back to the country via a strategic partnership.

9. Charles Tyrwhitt

In February, British menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt ventured into the Indian market by opening their stores in Ahmedabad’s Palladium Mall through a partnership with Reliance Retail. Specialising in dress shirts, ties, suits, footwear and accessories, this brand was founded in 1986 by Nicholas Charles Tyrwhitt Wheeler as a mail-order company.

10. Gaston Luga 

Swedish lifestyle brand, Gaston Luga, which is known for its functional and high-quality bags, made their Indian debut in February in partnership with Maison ID8 brands. Their products are available to buy on popular e-commerce platforms like Ajio Luxe, Tata Cliq Luxury and The White Crow.

11. Amiri

Hollywood fashion house Amiri, known for their West Coast-inspired designs, opened its first-ever retail store in New Delhi’s high end shopping destination, The Chanakya Mall in November. The launch was attended by cricketer Shubman Gill and actress Shanaya Kapoor. And it was Sonam Kapoor and Anand Kapoor’s company, Bhaane Retail Pvt Ltd  brand, that brought the brand created by Mike Amiri in 2014, to India.

12. Golden Goose  

Golden Goose became popular among the Indian diaspora due to Shah Rukh Khan sporting their trademark ‘dirty’ sneakers on several occasions. 

In October, the Italian designer sneaker brand made its way to India, opening their first store in Delhi’s luxe Chanakya Mall. Their second store was launched in December at Bengaluru’s Mall of Asia.