French icon Galeries Lafayette partners Aditya Birla to redefine Indian luxury retail

French luxury department store chain Galeries Lafayette is set to make its highly anticipated India debut with a flagship opening in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, housed within the historic Turner Morrison and Voltas House buildings. The launch marks a defining moment for India’s luxury sector, blending the 130-year French legacy of fashion, art, and culture with the Aditya Birla Group’s retail expertise and deep understanding of the Indian consumer landscape.

The store, spanning 90,000 sq. ft. across five levels, has been designed by London-based architectural firm Virgile + Partners. The flagship reinterprets Galeries Lafayette’s global aesthetic through an Indian lens, fusing Parisian sophistication with Mumbai’s architectural heritage to create a modern cultural landmark.

Strategic Partnership for a Growing Market :

This launch follows the exclusive partnership signed in 2022 between Galeries Lafayette and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) part of the Aditya Birla Group to introduce the French retailer’s omnichannel model to India. The venture combines Galeries Lafayette’s global retail experience with ABFRL’s leadership in India’s premium and luxury fashion segments, creating a scalable model to tap into a fast-evolving market.

India’s luxury retail market, estimated to reach USD 85 billion by 2030, is being driven by a surge in disposable incomes, urban affluence, digital influence, and aspirational consumption. Mumbai, as both a financial and cultural hub, serves as a strategic anchor for Galeries Lafayette’s first store in the country.

““Luxury in India is today being placed at the threshold of transformation,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group. “With one of the fastest-growing affluent populations in the world and globally exposed consumers, the strongest appetite for high-end experiences has never been witnessed. A coming-of-age moment for Indian luxury retail is being marked through our partnership with Galeries Lafayette.”

Blending French Heritage with Indian Ambition :

For Galeries Lafayette, the Mumbai flagship is being recognized as both a symbolic and strategic milestone in its global expansion. “A defining moment for Galeries Lafayette and a new chapter in our international journey is being marked by the opening of our first store in Mumbai,” said Nicolas Houzé, Executive Chairman, Galeries Lafayette Group. “A particularly strong foundation is being provided to this project through the partnership with the Aditya Birla Group. With Mumbai as our anchor, an experience that brings together French heritage, creativity, and innovation while embracing the cultural richness of India is being introduced with pride.”

The flagship will house over 250 international luxury and designer brands, featuring high-end fashion, accessories, and lifestyle collections. Beyond retail, the store will offer personal styling, private lounges, concierge services, and cultural programming designed to transform the shopping experience into a multi-sensory, community-driven encounter.

A Shift from Retail to Experience :

The venture goes beyond traditional luxury retailing by focusing on experiential and data-led engagement. Through its premium services and curated events, ABFRL aims to deepen customer loyalty and derive insights into India’s emerging luxury consumer base.

“A new paradigm of luxury for India is being established by Galeries Lafayette, extending beyond retail to encompass cultural experiences,” said Ashish Dikshit, Managing Director, ABFRL. “By this flagship, new benchmarks in assortment, service, and experience are being set, while India’s presence on the global luxury map is simultaneously being amplified.”

The brand’s arrival was celebrated with a symbolic event on the Arabian Sea, where a flotilla of yachts ferried dignitaries including Mr. Birla and Mr. Houzé from the Gateway of India to an exclusive evening reception, a gesture underscoring the blend of elegance, tradition, and modernity that defines the collaboration.

Strengthening India’s Luxury Ecosystem :

ABFRL, already a leader in India’s premium and ethnic fashion segments, is strategically positioned to drive the growth of luxury consumption in India. Its portfolio spans leading fashion and lifestyle brands including Pantaloons, The Collective, Jaypore, and Tasva, alongside partnerships with top Indian designers such as Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, and Shantnu & Nikhil.

Through this collaboration, ABFRL seeks to build a sustainable luxury ecosystem that merges global standards with Indian sensibilities. The partnership also aligns with the company’s broader retail vision integrating technology, data, and design to redefine modern consumer engagement.

Global Legacy, Local Vision :

Founded in 1894, Galeries Lafayette has long been an emblem of French luxury and experiential retailing, operating 65 stores across France and abroad. Its Mumbai flagship represents not only its South Asian debut but also a strategic step in expanding its international footprint into high-growth markets.

In essence, the Galeries Lafayette–ABFRL alliance is more than a retail opening; it's a signal of India’s maturing luxury appetite, where experiential sophistication meets entrepreneurial ambition. As India’s affluent class continues to expand, the collaboration stands poised to redefine how luxury is perceived, experienced, and celebrated in the subcontinent.