Prada sidelines India retail for 3-5 years; Kolhapuri sandals to debut globally in 40 stores
15 December 2025, Mumbai
Italian luxury house Prada Group has confirmed a transformational shift in its India growth strategy, prioritizing a global artisanal collaboration and delayed independent retail entry over opening direct clothing stores in India in the short term. The most significant news is the exclusive international retail plan for the limited-edition footwear: the "PRADA Made in India x Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals" collection. The 2,000 pairs, priced at approximately ₹84,000 ($930) each, will launch globally in February 2026 across 40 select Prada stores worldwide and its official e-commerce platform.
India Footprint: Long-term entry, immediate CSR
As per the direct collaboration MoU, the new plan focuses on a "Made in India" product for a global audience, boosting Indian artisanal exports. Prada's senior executive, Lorenzo Bertelli, confirmed the brand has no plans for new retail clothing shops in India for the next year or the near future. Instead, Prada intends to pursue an independent entry into the Indian luxury market—projected to hit $30 billion by 2030—within a three-to-five-year timeframe, avoiding the common route of partnerships with local conglomerates like Reliance or Aditya Birla Group. This patient approach is designed to maintain stringent brand control and value.
Apparel & Textiles: Upskilling the artisan supply chain
The three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Maharashtra’s LIDCOM and Karnataka’s LIDKAR—the government bodies holding the GI-tag for Kolhapuri chappals—is a direct investment into the textile and apparel supply chain's human capital. The agreement involves establishing local training programmes based on the Prada Group Academy model to upskill 2,000 local artisans, merging centuries-old craftsmanship with modern luxury production techniques. This not only preserves the GI-tagged craft but is seen as an ethical corrective measure following past controversy. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called the partnership a "truly global collab" and is targeting an elevation of Kolhapuri chappal exports to $1 billion annually, cementing India’s role as a source of high-end luxury craft.
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