Field Fisher Waterhouse advises on Hamleys India launch
12 May 2010
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has advised iconic toy retailer,
Hamleys, on a franchising deal that saw the retailer open its first
store in Mumbai in April 2010. 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 first store opened in Mumbai’s popular shopping centre
Phoenix Mills. There are plans for the network to expand to 20
stores across the country in the next seven years.
These stores continue Hamleys’s 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 a deal to open stores and
airport outlets in Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. More
recently, the firm also advised on the franchise agreement to open
stores in the Balkans. Hamleys partnered with franchisee Delta
Sport to open in central Belgrade in Serbia. The retailer is also
planning openings in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia,
Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia.
This deal reflects the strength of Field Fisher
Waterhouse’s Franchising Group, which has significant international
capability and has advised a large portfolio of corporates on
global roll-outs including Mamas & Papas, River Island, 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.