Page 24 - #184 September 2023

COVER STORY - U.S. POLO ASSN.
THE WORLD’S ONLY GLOBAL RETAIL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE

www.rli.uk.com SEPTEMBER 2023 ISSUE 184

GLOBAL FOCUS
U.S. POLO ASSN.
INDIA’S POWER BRAND
AC&CO. C&A NIKKI BEACH HOTELS & RESORTS 184
Inspired by Democratising A World of
Heritage Sustainable Fashion Possibilities
ADAPTIVE RETAIL SPACES | EXPANSION & FRANCHISING | INDIA | MARIE FRANCE VAN DAMME | PALL MALL BARBERS | SANA SAFINAZ | UK & IRELAND

India’s Power Brand Palladium Mall
Mumbai, India

Multi-billion-dollar global brand U.S. Polo Assn. continues to look for avenues
and partnerships to expand into new global markets as well as new and innovative
areas of business. As the brand looks to make its mark in India RLI caught up with
J. Michael Prince, President & CEO of USPA Global Licensing to discuss the company’s
ambitions across India and around the world.

.S. Polo Assn. has recently announced outstanding results websites. More specifically, in India, in order to further enhance its
that have seen them exceed their 2025 goal of $2bn three digital offerings for customers, U.S. Polo Assn. has launched an
Uyears early. This has resulted in a new goal of reaching exclusive new brand website: USPOLOASSN.in
$3bn in sales and a total of 1,500 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores in the “The site will carry the entire selection of the brand’s product
coming years. offerings across menswear and kidswear. The website will also feature
In order to reach this target, their global team will continue to the brand’s footwear and innerwear collection, as well as the newly
execute their aggressive store, digital and international growth launched USPA womenswear line. In addition, it is hosting the “Legends
strategies to further expand their global footprint in key cities and Forever Play Together” campaign and its merchandise including polos,
markets worldwide. denim, oxfords, tee shirts, sweaters and jackets from the latest AW’23
“The brand’s footprint today is a fast-growing presence across 190 collection,” Prince highlights.
countries, with over 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands To bring the India site to life back in July, the business worked hand
of wholesale locations spanning department stores, sporting goods in hand with its licensing partner in India, Arvind, testing over several
channels and independent retailers as well as e-commerce,” explains J. months. Its engagement KPIs have gotten off to a great start and the
Michael Prince, President & CEO of USPA Global Licensing. official site launch takes place during the Legends campaign.
“Our record growth is the result of expanding our existing sizeable Its partner Arvind has grown U.S. Polo Assn. in India to become one
footprint across all regions around the world. U.S. Polo Assn. has seen of the top selling international menswear brands in the country. The
a balanced growth strategy with significantly increased market share product is beloved in India for a variety of reasons, such as its classic
in more mature markets such as North America and Western Europe American styling, its authentic connection to the sport of polo as well
while delivering exponential growth in emerging markets such as Asia, as the country’s historic connection to the sport of polo that dates
Latin America, the Middle East and India.” back to the 13th Century.
The current brand footprint in India stands at more than 400 brand The company has also successfully revolutionised the in-store
stores and about 2,000 shop-in-shops across more than 200 cities in customer experience through its new identity stores, featuring modern
India. Together with Arvind Fashions Ltd. their brand licensing partner décor, an all-white interior and authenticity through elements of the
in India, U.S. Polo Assn. is aiming to become a billion-dollar brand in sport of polo, like accessories and game broadcasts, for which the
India alone over the long-term, further positioning themselves as an brand is based. Due to such popularity, in late 2022, U.S. Polo Assn.
international power brand and one of the top-selling casual menswear launched five stores in one day simultaneously in the city of Bengaluru,
brands in the country. Arvind’s corporate headquarters.
Across the board, the company has leveraged a multi-faceted digital “We are actively expanding our retail footprint in India to over 500
strategy to support their omni-channel footprint, which has resulted in stores in the coming years with the target to double that over the
stronger traffic engagement across their global brand and e-commerce long-term. We strengthened e-commerce expanding beyond third