Italian fashion brand Giorgio Armani has entered into a 51:49 joint venture with India's real estate developer DLF to roll out retail stores in India.

It is learnt that the Netherlands-based Giorgio Armani Holding BV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent Italian firm Giorgio Armani S.p.A., will bring in Rs.1 crore for the joint venture. The JV will act as a wholesaling firm and will undertake the sale and distribution of several Armani brands, namely Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Junior and Armani Collezioni across India. Delhi, DLF's stronghold, would see Armani's first stores. The Italian brand would be retailed at two stores in the Emporio Mall, being developed by DLF.

The Armani-DLF JV also plans to set up shop-in-shops to exclusively sell some of the Armani branded products such as Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, Armani Collezioni and Emporuio Armani Underwear. The JV will focus on retailing apparel, footwear, handbags, luggage, watches, phones, jewelery, perfumes, eyewear, sport gears and other accessories for men and women.