Reliance Brands partners Madden NYC to launch operations in India

Reliance Brands has partnered with Steve Madden to launched its accessible fashion label Madden NYC in India. Targeting the fast-growing premium footwear segment, the initial rollout introduces a women's footwear portfolio featuring sneakers, slides, and heels priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000, establishing a distinct price tier below the flagship Steve Madden brand. Deploying an omnichannel framework, the brand debuted across digital platforms alongside brick-and-mortar storefronts in key commercial centers including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Sector dynamics and strategic expansion milestones

The Indian fashion consumer is increasingly looking for brands that combine global relevance with accessible style, states Sumeet Yadav, Head - Reliance Brands, noting, the venture fills a critical whitespace in modern fashion retail. Rising disposable incomes and accelerated urban demand have driven double-digit growth in premium footwear, prompting global fashion houses to broaden their retail footprints in tier-1 markets. Steve Madden currently operates 35 exclusive outlets across 16 Indian cities, and this initial launch phase precedes subsequent collection expansions into complementary lifestyle categories later this year.

Accessible fashion portfolio targeting urban footwear markets

Madden NYC operates as the trend-focused diffusion label of American footwear designer Steve Madden, specializing in contemporary shoes, handbags, and fashion accessories. Expanding through partnership with Reliance Brands, the brand targets entry-level luxury consumers in major metros, leveraging digital storefronts and physical retail networks to drive steady top-line growth across international markets.