Field Fisher Waterhouse advises on Hamleys India launch
24 September 2008
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has advised iconic
toy retailer, Hamleys, on a franchising
deal that will see the retailer open two flagship stores in India,
eventually expanding to a network of 20 stores across the country.
The franchise will be run and operated by Reliance Lifestyle
Holdings Private Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd,
India’s largest private sector company.
The two flagship stores will open in Mumbai
and Delhi in 2009 with regional expansion following over the next
few years.
These stores continue Hamleys’ programme of
global expansion. The toy retailer is a long-standing client of
Field Fisher Waterhouse, which also advised on the company’s first
franchise agreement in 2006. This saw expansion into the Middle
East with stores and airport outlets opening up in Dubai, Kuwait
and Saudi Arabia.
This latest deal reflects the strength of
Field Fisher Waterhouse’s Franchising Group, which recently brought
on board three leading franchise specialists from Eversheds, led by
partner, Chris Wormald. The Group has
significant international capability and has advised a large
portfolio of corporates on global roll-outs, including Monsoon,
Mango, M&S and Reiss.
Joint head of Franchising and Licensing Mark Abell led on the deal, assisted by lawyers
Gordon Drakes and Sonal Patel.
Mark Abell said: “Reliance is one of the key
players in the Indian retail market so we are delighted to have
been able to complete this agreement with Hamleys, for whom the
international market is becoming an increasingly important element
of its business.”
Reliance was advised by Indian law firm,
AZB & Partners.
For further press information please
contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Manager,
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on +44 (0)20 7861 4120