Galeries Lafayette set to redefine luxury retail experience in India

The location couldn’t have been more symbolic. Two inter-connected heritage colonial buildings—Turner Morrison and Voltas House—in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda are all set to house a 130-year-old luxury brand, which is coming to India as a result of a partnership between two storied family-owned businesses.

Galeries Lafayette, the iconic French chain of luxury department stores, is all set to throw open the doors to its first flagship store in India that will house more than 250 brands. Designed by London-based architectural firm Virgile + Partners, this mega store spans across a massive 90,000 sq. ft and is spread across five levels. The space reinterprets Galeries Lafayette’s global concept through an Indian lens, blending Parisian refinement with Mumbai’s architectural heritage to create a destination that balances legacy and modernity.

The curated portfolio brings together more than 250 revered luxury and designer brands from across the globe. In addition to retail, the flagship introduces personal styling, private lounges, concierge services, and curated cultural programmes designed to deepen engagement and drive repeat experiences. According to sources, the ground and first floors of both buildings will be reserved for über-luxury mono brand stores and discussions are in advanced stages with Chanel to have its flagship store there. It is also reliably learned that Jean-Michel Signoles, owner of luxury brand Goyard, has already visited the building and met the promoters.

Galeries Lafayette Mumbai is expected to give emphasis to fashion and leather goods such as Jacquemus, Givenchy, Pinel & Pinel, Valextra, Cult Gaia, Isabel Marant, Longchamp, Coperni, and DeMellier, beauty and fragrances brands such as Amouage, Byredo, Guerlain, Hermès Beauté, La Prairie, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Parfums De Marly, Loewe, Givenchy’s La Collection Particulière, and Dolce & Gabbana beauty. Women’s fashion including Ami Paris, Balmain, Dries Van Noten, Maison Margiela, Gabriela Hearst, Pucci, Jil Sander, Rabanne, Patou, La DoubleJ, Farm Rio, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham and Zimmermann.

Also on offer will be top-notch sartorial menswear brands such as Kiton and Isaia along with Ralph Lauren, Ami Paris, Marni, Givenchy, Lemaire, Casablanca, Dries Van Noten, Maison Margiela, Thom Browne, ETRO, Kiton, Bode, Off-White, Stone Island, Canada Goose, Chrome Hearts, Jacques Marie Mage, and Cartier. Premium guest services, gifting, library and the event space will have brands including Taschen, Assouline, Bearbrick, and Golden Concept.

Talks are also on with luxury conglomerates such as LVMH, Kering and the Richemont Group to bring in more luxury brands. Since this luxury department store is an island entity, it is also learnt that it will have some iconic international restaurants like La Cantine du Faubourg housed on the top floor.

This opening follows an exclusive partnership announced in 2022 between Galeries Lafayette and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL)—a part of the Aditya Birla Group—to establish the brand’s presence in India through flagship stores and an omnichannel retail model. “It was after an extensive search that we found these buildings where we will be launching this prestigious store,” says Rahul Prasad, Managing Partner (Asia Pacific), Pike Preston Partners (Asia) Ltd who mediated on behalf of both Galeries Lafayette and the Indian partner right from the beginning and was involved in the location, building, brand negotiations, etc. “For ABFRL it was their luxury portfolio expansion while for Galeries Lafayette it was their geographical expansion. It was after an extensive search, both for partners and location, that the entry was decided. It will have some of the most amazing experiences that one can hope to have including the VIP Salon where the customers can relax and all that they want will be brought in there for them to try on like fashion, leather goods, beauty, fragrance, etc.”

At a pre-launch event held in Mumbai, Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said, “Luxury in India today stands at the threshold of transformation. With one of the fastest-growing affluent populations in the world and a new generation of globally exposed consumers, the appetite for high-end experiences has never been stronger. A new India is emerging which is youthful, ambitious, and globally connected. One that embraces luxury as a statement of aspiration and identity.”  According to Birla, ABFRL's partnership with Galeries Lafayette “marks a coming-of-age moment for Indian luxury retail. Together, we are creating an iconic destination in the heart of Mumbai—a world-class showcase where the best of global luxury engages with the rising confidence of the Indian consumer. For the first time, India will welcome a luxury department store, housed in landmark real estate, executed with precision, and infused with the elegance of Indian sensibilities.”

For Galeries Lafayette Group Executive Chairman Nicolas Houzé, the opening of the first store in Mumbai is a defining moment for the group and a new chapter in their international journey. “Partnering with the Aditya Birla Group, a renowned family-owned conglomerate whose values resonate with ours, gives this project a particularly strong foundation,” he said. “With Mumbai as our anchor point, we are proud to introduce an experience that brings together French heritage, creativity, and innovation, while embracing the energy and cultural richness of India. This flagship will stand as a symbol of our ambition to make the French Art of Living shine on the global stage.”

Both ABFRL and Galeries Lafayette are family-run legacy businesses. Founded in the 1890s in Paris, Galeries Lafayette is known for luxury fashion, accessories, timepieces, cosmetics, homeware, gourmet foods, and wellness services. Besides France, Galeries Lafayette operates in China, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Qatar, and the UAE.

India’s luxury market, projected to reach $85 billion by 2030, continues to see rapid growth driven by rising affluence, digital influence, and aspirational consumption. Mumbai, the country’s financial and cultural capital, accounts for a significant share of this opportunity, making it the natural home for Galeries Lafayette’s first flagship in India. The luxury retail chain plans to expand to Delhi next.

The arrival of Galeries Lafayette in Mumbai marks more than just the opening of a luxury department store—it signals a new chapter in India’s retail narrative. As global brands increasingly recognise the potential of the Indian consumer, this flagship stands as a testament to the country’s growing influence in the world of luxury. Blending French sophistication with Indian heritage, it promises to redefine the shopping experience and set new benchmarks for what luxury means in a modern, ambitious, and globally connected India.