La Perla may flame up Reliance Brands

BANGALORE: After rushing into India���s potentially huge market, global lifestyle brands are now grappling with divorce. The latest to switch partner is Italian high-end lingerie giant La Perla, competing with Victoria���s Secret globally, as it moves over to Reliance Brands to start Indian operations.

Sources said La Perla was in fairly advanced discussions with Reliance Brands. Last year, La Perla unveiled an alliance with Mohan Murjani Group, which also operates Gucci, Jimmy Choo and FCUK in India. But the La Perla agreement appears to have fallen through, with the Italian major scouting for new partners.

However, a deal with Reliance is not yet struck, even though the latter has started booking space for La Perla in some of the upcoming retail projects.

Of late, India���s top-end lifestyle market has seen a massive churn with several international brands like Ferragamo, Canali, Diesel and even UK���s largest retailer Marks & Spencer changing their partners. Some of them even before establishing their presence in the country.