A joint venture between Marks & Spencer and local firm Reliance Retail plans to add 30 stores by the end of fiscal 2017.

British group Marks & Spencer operates 50 stores in India in partnership with Reliance Retail, which also has alliances with other international labels such as Diesel, Kenneth Cole and Steve Madden.

The clothing retailer, which has identified India as a key market, saw the local business recorded a growth of 23 per cent in the fiscal year ended March 2015.

Sustainable economic development, a burgeoning middle class, among other factors, makes India a fertile market for Marks & Spencer’s continued expansion, company sources said.