A string of international brands have established their presence in the country this year with US apparel retailer GAP, Swedish multinational retail-clothing company H&M, British fashion brands TOPSHOP and TOPMAN and more being available at brick-and-mortar stores or online mediums.

The summer arrival of GAP, which has made inroads into India through a franchise agreement with textile and retail major Arvind Lifetsyle Brands Limited, was much talked about.

Spread over a 10,000 sq ft south Delhi mall, the first flagship store offers Gap for men and women, GapKids, and babyGap. It plans to open about 40 stores in the next five years and Arvind Lifetsyle Brands Limited expects Rs. 1,000 crore worth of business opportunity from the venture.

“I think our clothes are perfect for Indian summer. It’s very easy to wear with a whole lot of linen feel to it,” Oliver Kaye, CEO – Gap Business, said.

Arvind Lifestyle Brands Limited also brought American youth brand Aeropostale to India, with a store at a south Delhi mall in November.

Swedish multinational retail clothing company H&M, which is known globally for offering fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way, also opened shop in the country, again at a south Delhi mall.

And then, call it the successful feedback of the first store that within a gap of a month, the brand opened its second store – its largest in the country – at another south Delhi shopping destination.

Expansion plans for the brand include another store in capital suburb Gurgaon, to be followed by outlets in Mumbai and tier-II and tier-III cities.