USPA Properties and Arvind Lifestyle Brands have opened the 50th U.S. Polo Assn. store in India at Linking Road, Mumbai. USPA Properties is a wholly owned subsidiary of United States Polo Association and Arvind Lifestyle Brands is a part of Arvind Mills.
Speaking on the occasion, David Cummings, president and CEO, USPA Properties, said: “International expansion is a key strategy for the U.S. Polo Assn. brand and the opening of the 50th store in India reinforces our strength as a leading International brand. This opening also marks an important moment in our relationship with Arvind, a licensee and valued partner to us for several years. Arvind has done a tremendous job in expanding the business in India. We look forward to continuing to work together to provide the Indian market with apparel and other products that are true to the heritage of the sport of polo.”
Arvind Brands has been the exclusive manager and authorized supplier of the U.S. Polo Assn. brand in India since 2007.
J. Suresh, MD and CEO, Arvind Lifestyle Brands and Retail, said that the popularity of polo in India has led to demand for retail apparel and other merchandise that are true to the sport. He said that the company looks forward to continued growth in India.
In 2010, U.S. Polo Assn. brand wholesale sales totaled $7.12 million in India and $475 million worldwide. Some of the other USPA stores in India are located in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. USPA Properties and Arvind expect to operate a total of 100 stores in India by the end of 2012. Arvind has introduced International labels such as Arrow, Izod, GANT, U.S. Polo Assn., and Energie in India. It also has its own brands like Flying Machine and Excalibur Gant, among others and operates 200 plus retail chain ‘Megamart’ in India.
-IndiaRetailing Bureau
