Gautam Singhania Highlights India as Prime Investment Destination for Lifestyle Brands at NDTV World Summit

India is 'the land of opportunities' and should be the preferred investment destination for lifestyle brands, stated Gautam Singhania, Chairperson of the Raymond Group, during his address at the NDTV World Summit 2025.

"Literally, on a weekly basis we are getting calls to invest in India..." he revealed, highlighting the growing international interest in the Indian market.

"More and more global companies want to do business in India," Singhania continued, "Lifestyle is growing today... If you had $100 to invest, where would you invest? Everyone is looking at the opportunities in India."

When questioned about the 50 per cent tariff announced by United States President Donald Trump, Singhania emphasized that Raymond Group had strategically decided to base 90 per cent of its business within India. He added, "If I had to choose where to live in the world... I would choose India."

Discussing India's impressive growth trajectory - marked by its ascension to become the world's fourth-largest economy in May, surpassing Japan - the Raymond boss highlighted the country's expanding middle-class market, which attracts foreign businesses and provides India significant leverage in global trade negotiations.

"As the middle class grows... as its aspirations grow... everyone wants affordable luxury," he explained, referencing the housing sector that Raymond entered in July with Raymond Realty. "A Rs 2 or 3 crore home in Mumbai is affordable luxury."

"The Indian consumer has a lot of trust in the Raymond brand," Singhania noted with pride.

However, he dismissed the characterization of Raymond as a pure 'luxury' brand, clarifying, "As a company, we are not in the luxury business... we are in the belly of the market... the affordable luxury market."

Singhania has been credited with successfully revitalizing the family business after taking the helm in 2000, divesting underperforming units in steel, cement, and synthetics to concentrate on lifestyle products, with textiles and clothing now standing as the company's most recognizable offerings.