Inditex, owner of the Zara fashion chain, yesterday announced plans to break into the Indian market through a joint venture with Tata Group, the country’s largest business conglomerate.

The Spanish manufacturer and retailer, which already has a presence in 73 countries, said it would work with Trent Limited, part of the Tata empire, to open Zara stores in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities in 2010.

For the Spanish company, the move into India is part of a broader push across Asia. South Korea is among Inditex’s main markets for expansion at the moment, and it has also built a 23-store presence in China since 2006.

Financial Times