Retail
Reliance Brands seals LensCrafters India buy from DLF
Second Luxottica eyewear deal after Sunglass Hut gives Reliance premium optical stores in key malls.
Meera Iyer, Retail correspondent··4 min read
Reliance Brands bought LensCrafters India from DLF Brands, which had run the stores under a franchise arrangement. Key locations in Noida and Saket transfer with the business. LensCrafters entered India in 2020 and stocks Ray-Ban, Oakley, Versace and other labels.
On the shop floor the change means tighter integration with Reliance’s optical and lifestyle play. A mall optical counter that once reported to DLF now sits inside the larger Reliance Brands matrix, potentially sharing inventory and CRM with Sunglass Hut. Premium frame and lens tickets stay high while private-label options can be tested.
Reliance Brands gains LensCrafters outlets in Noida and Saket malls.
The deal squeezes independent optical chains and other franchisees in the same malls. It helps Reliance deepen its non-apparel lifestyle portfolio and gives Luxottica a stronger local operator. Lenskart and other pure-play eyewear players face a better-capitalised multi-brand rival in premium catchments.
Watch for store count updates and any Kiko Milano cosmetics progress, which Reliance Retail is also pursuing. Festive and wedding season traffic will show whether the acquired sites lift average transaction values under new ownership.