After successfully opening nine stores in the Middle East, kitchenware company Lakeland has now opened two stores in India.
The first standalone 320sq m store opened in Pune's Phoenix Market City mall and the second store opened inside a branch of Westside in Forum Mall, Bangalore.

The company is planning to open more standalone stores in India, with 60% of its total product range on offer.

It is planned that an online store will be launched within six months of these store openings.

Managing Director of Lakeland Sam Rayner said: "We've been delighted with the response we've had to our stores in the Middle East, with nine stores now trading successfully and have most recently enjoyed the successful opening of our first store in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"It's been wonderful to see the reputation the Lakeland brand has already built overseas and just how popular our products are proving not only with British expats, but with the local community too.

"Western style cooking is being enjoyed in large parts of the world, so we've discovered that the top selling products in our stores in the Middle East are surprisingly similar to those most popular in the UK, but we also ensure our ranges are tailored to suit local cooking styles too."

News of the opening has been well-received by twice Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar. He said "Lakeland will be hugely accepted in India. It will give Indian housewives and food professionals a huge lift with their creativity through the products and equipment.

"Lakeland should capture the huge gap in the quality market. I wish them good luck."

Lakeland stores in India are operated by Trent-Tata, one of India's leading retail businesses, who also work with Zara, Tesco and other leading international brands.

Lakeland first tested the overseas market in 2010, when it opened a store in Dubai and now the retailer has gone from strength to strength.

Back on home soil the retailer's portfolio consists of 67 stores up and down the country, with more in the pipeline.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first Lakeland store in 1964 by Sam's father Alan.