French luxury department store chain Galeries Lafayette has entered India’s premium retail market with the launch of its first flagship store in Mumbai, reinforcing its partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) at a time when discretionary spending in the top-end fashion segment is rising.

The 90,000-sq.-ft store in Kala Ghoda spans five levels and houses more than 250 global luxury and designer brands. The format mirrors the group’s international flagship model, combining a premium multi-brand assortment with a focus on design-led store architecture. The Mumbai launch marks one of the French retailer’s most significant international expansions in recent years. The opening comes as India’s luxury consumption continues to grow in double digits, supported by an expanding affluent base and a rapid build-out of high-street and luxury retail infrastructure.

Underscoring the strategic importance of the tie-up, the event in Mumbai on Sunday was attended by H.E. Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India; Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group; Philippe Houzé, chairman of Motier; and Nicolas Houzé, executive chairman, Galeries Lafayette Group.

Mathou said the flagship represents a “major landmark” in France’s outreach and is expected to serve as a broader cultural and creative hub. Birla said the partnership with the French retailer builds on ABFRL’s strategy of scaling its presence across premium and luxury categories. “It reflects trust, scale and long-term commitment on both sides,” he said.