India’s major real estate developer, DLF has announced that it is ready to ink a franchisee pact with Italian group Luxottica to retail its premium and luxury eyeware brands, including Oakley, Ray-Ban, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Prada, Versace and Polo Ralph Lauren.

According to the sources, Luxottica group deals in designing, manufacturing and distributing prescription frames and sunglasses in the premium and luxury segment.

Luxottica has licence pacts with 20 top brands, including Burberry, Prada, Tiffany and Salvatore Ferragamo.

The sources further revealed that DLF will open over 100 Sunglass Hut stores over five fiscals, under the franchisee pact.

The first store will be opened in New Delhi next month.

At present, Luxottica operates over 2,000 Sunglass Hut retail stores across the globe.

According to the reports, for DLF, an association with Luxxotica is significant as it will give the realty firm a toe-hold in accessory space and facilitate it to set up a strong retail portfolio.

The real estate giant has been looking at tying up with several high-end brands in each category to launch itself in the domestic market as a major retail player.

It has already linked up with premium fashion brands Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo.

The company is also looking at multi-brand retail and has been in discussions with some major foreign retailer for a partnership, although a deal has not been finalised yet.