Reliance Retail Ventures, part of Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate, has announced a significant partnership with Israeli apparel firm Delta Galil to expand and innovate within India’s innerwear market. The collaboration marks a strategic move in the Indian apparel industry, aiming to transform the sector with new product offerings and an expanded retail presence.
The newly formed 50/50 joint venture between Reliance Retail and Delta Galil will focus on designing and manufacturing intimate apparel and activewear for Reliance’s established brands. The venture aims to challenge the dominance of Page Industries, which leads the segment with its well-known brands Jockey and Speedo.
“Delta Galil’s reputation as a global innovator in intimate apparel and activewear aligns seamlessly with Reliance Retail’s commitment to delivering quality and innovative products to Indian consumers. Together, we are poised to elevate the consumer offerings in the intimate apparel and activewear segments across our retail platforms,” said V. Subramaniam, Managing Director of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited.
Delta Galil, known for its extensive portfolio of prestigious global brands such as Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Columbia, is excited about the potential of the partnership. Isaac Dabah, CEO of Delta Galil, commented, “This collaboration will allow us to combine our product design, innovation, and manufacturing prowess with Reliance Retail’s extensive retail network and distribution reach, paving the way for accelerated growth of the intimate apparel and activewear categories throughout the country. We look forward to embarking on this journey with Reliance, with an initial launch at Delta family lifestyle stores and the Athena brand for men’s and ladies’ intimates over the next 18 months.”
The partnership is set to leverage Delta Galil’s design and manufacturing expertise alongside Reliance’s vast retail infrastructure. This move follows Reliance’s recent acquisitions in the lingerie sector, including brands such as Clovia, Zivame, and Amante, which together surpassed Rs 2,000 crore in sales in FY24. Additionally, Reliance’s private label brands are marketed through Reliance Trends, and the company maintains joint ventures with Marks & Spencer and Hunkemoller International.
With this new joint venture, both companies are poised to significantly impact India’s innerwear market, offering innovative products to a growing consumer base. The collaboration underscores a strategic approach to capturing and expanding within the intimate apparel segment, promising a new era of growth and innovation in the industry.