Retail India: Marks & Spencers JV with Reliance Retail

Well it finally had to happen. Marks & Spencers has been trying to expand from its home turf for quite sometime and its entry into the USA hasn't been spectacular and its entry into India with a Joint Venture Licensing with Pantaloon Retail was limited with a dozen odd Stores limited with Fashion Retail. Although in the begining M&S had been clearly marketed at the upper-end, the last 1 year has seen them repositioning itself as a value retailer of quality clothes, as affordable as any other decent brand, although it needs to realize it should't loose its charm and become cheap in the process.

Now that M&S has been trying so hard to grow its businesses outside UK, India is on the spotlight and its new JV with Reliance says it all. Probably there is't anyone more ambitious that Reliance and someone who could also make things happen. M&S has clearly outlined it will expand beyond fashion in India. Need to wait and see what happens to the 14 stores already with Planet Retail / Future Group.