India’s travel gear market set for a boom as travel season kicks off; Superdry enters the fray

India’s travel gear market is poised for significant growth as the country heads into its peak travel season. The organized luggage and travel accessories market, currently valued at ₹35,000-40,000 crore, is expanding at double-digit growth, driven by rising domestic and international travel, increased frequency of “bleisure” trips, growing disposable incomes, and heightened awareness of premium branded products.

Analysts note that the premium segment is particularly promising, with consumers seeking products that combine design, durability, and brand value. Retailers report that luggage and travel accessory sales typically spike between September and December, coinciding with festive holidays, school vacations, and the high travel season.

“Today’s travelers are more discerning. They do not just look for durability or capacity; they want luggage that reflects their style and status,” said a senior retail analyst. “This is driving branded travel gear sales, especially in the premium and lifestyle segments.”

Urban Indians, particularly millennials and young professionals, are increasingly treating luggage, handbags, and travel accessories as fashion-forward essentials, rather than just functional items.

Brands such as Samsonite, American Tourister, VIP, and now Superdry are capitalizing on this shift, offering products that combine premium design, convenience, and smart features, including lightweight materials, multi-functional compartments, and technology-enabled solutions.

Superdry enters the fray

Against this backdrop, Brand Concepts Ltd., a leading Indian omni-channel retail company specializing in premium fashion accessories, travel gear, and lifestyle products, has secured exclusive licensing rights for Superdry Travel Gear and Handbags in India in partnership with Reliance Brands Limited (RBL). The agreement enables Brand Concepts to design, manufacture, and distribute Superdry’s line of travel gear, small leather goods (SLGs), and handbags, marking the brand’s entry into India’s fast-growing lifestyle travel segment.

“Superdry already enjoys strong brand affinity in India, and this partnership enables us to strategically build the category, creating collections that are both stylish and functional while reflecting Superdry’s global legacy of quality and durability,” said Abhinav Kumar, Co-founder, Brand Concepts Ltd.

Founded in 2003, Superdry is a global fashion brand known for its fusion of vintage Americana, Japanese-inspired graphics, and British style, celebrated for premium fabrics, intricate detailing, and signature graphics. Since entering India in 2012, the brand has cultivated a loyal following among urban youth seeking lifestyle-driven fashion statements. The latest collaboration leverages Brand Concepts’ expertise in lifestyle and accessories to develop travel products tailored for Indian consumers while preserving Superdry’s global design ethos.

Phased rollout strategy

The Superdry travel gear range will roll out in phases, initially through e-commerce platforms and premium department stores, followed by Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) in Tier-1 cities. These outlets are designed to provide an immersive brand experience, allowing consumers to explore the full product range and visualize lifestyle styling options.

Travel gear as a lifestyle statement

With rising disposable incomes and aspirational travel trends, Indian consumers are treating luggage as a personal style statement, comparable to handbags or watches. The convergence of travel and fashion is redefining the category, with premium products becoming status symbols for frequent travelers and aspirational urban consumers.

Strategic expansion for Superdry

Superdry’s footprint in India has grown steadily through RBL since 2012. In October 2023, RBL’s UK subsidiary, Reliance Brands Holding UK Ltd. (RBUK), acquired the intellectual property rights of Superdry for India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—laying the foundation for expansion into lifestyle and travel accessories.

“Travel gear is no longer just about mobility—it’s about mobility with style,” said a senior retail analyst. “As India’s travel culture evolves, brands that combine aesthetics, quality, and convenience will capture the growing aspirational consumer segment.”

With Brand Concepts’ proven experience in managing licensed premium brands and distributing across retail chains and e-commerce platforms, the collaboration positions Superdry to fully capitalize on India’s peak travel season, where functional fashion is driving consumer purchases like never before.