Harley-Davidson is all set to spread its wings in India. According to a report in the Business Line, luxury motorcycle maker has inked an agreement with G-III Apparel Group to design and distribute its lifestyle apparel throughout Asia.
The company is looking to add 8-12 stores this year in western and northern parts of the country. Currently, it has four stores across East and North-East India. Apart from Kolkata, the company has one store each in Siliguri in West Bengal, Dimapur in Nagaland and Imphal (Manipur).
To expand its wings, the company is all set to add two more apparel stores in Varanasi and Goa.
Under the pact, G-III will develop a network of Harley-Davidson apparel stores in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We will gradually be growing our network of stores in India. It is still in the planning stage. Anybody who comes to Harley comes through our merchandise. It is our way to get to the dreamers,” Karen Davidson, Creative Director was quoted as saying from the Business Line.
Besides, Harley-Davidson also opened an exclusive merchandise store, in a bid to push the iconic brand in India through lifestyle apparel.
Riding a 2018 Fat Bob Harley Davidson bike, the store was inaugurated by Karen Davidson. She expressed hope that rising fuel prices in India will not be a deterrent for Harley bike sales.
The merchandise unit is aimed at youngsters aged between 18 and 35 years.
Karen Davidson is the great-grand daughter of William A Davidson, co-Founder of Harley-Davidson.
The clothing collection symbolizes Harley-Davidson’s history and American motorcycle culture, featuring unique details, stylish silhouettes and high-quality fabrics.
The US-based bike maker has sold more than 20,000 motorcycles since the commencement of its retail operations in India in 2010.
Currently, the company has a 50 per cent share of the cruiser motorbike segment in India, whereas, women bikers accounts for a nascent share in India.
Davidson said while women bikers in the US are in double digits, the number is very small in India, but expected the community ‘Ladies of Harley’ would play an important role in promoting women riders
The association with G-III is in sync with the company’s long-term strategy to build next generation of riders through lifestyle apparel.
