Destination Maternity to expand into India

Philadelphia Destination Maternity Corp. announced on Tuesday its planned expansion into India through an international franchise agreement with Mahindra Retail, part of the Mahindra Group.

The expansion program will introduce the company’s Motherhood Maternity, Destination Maternity, and A Pea in the Pod brands into India.

Destination Maternity said it will initially make its product available for sale through Mahindra Retail's Mom & Me stores in India.

Destination Maternity had previously announced in October 2008 that it signed its first international franchise agreement to introduce its brands into six key markets in the Middle East. The company said its first Destination Maternity branded retail locations in the Middle East are expected to open during 2009.

Under the multi-year franchise agreement for India, Destination Maternity has granted to Mahindra Retail the exclusive rights to operate branded retail locations and market merchandise under the company's Motherhood Maternity, Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod brands in India. Currently, Mahindra Retail has opened five Mom & Me locations carrying Motherhood Maternity product in the Indian cities of Ludhiana, Ahmedabad, Pune and New Delhi.

Mahindra Group, with annual revenue of U.S. $6.7 billion, has a leading presence in key Indian economic sectors, including the financial services, trade, retail and logistics, automotive components, after-market, information technology and infrastructure development.