Fashion house Karmik will open a franchise store in Pakistan at Lahore by end of August. As a part of the master-franchise deal with Lahore-based fashion retailer Arshadsons, Karmik plans to open six stores in cities such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad over the next three years, followed by smaller towns. Estimated investment for the deal is around 3 million dollars over three years.

The franchise agreement was signed in Delhi between Pradeep Hirani (CMD, Karmik) and Sheikh Aftab Arshad, Asad Amin Sheikh, Asif Amin Sheikh of Arshadsons.

Commenting on the announcement, Pradeep Hirani, Owner, Karmik, said: “We have inked a new page in the history of Indian fashion through this deal with Pakistan’s leading fashion retailers and master franchisors Arshadsons. We are proud and confident of our association. The plan now is to take Karmik to other neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, and to include few Pakistani and Dhaka designers to our repertoire of Top Indian designers for Karmik.”

Sheikh Aftab Arshad, partner Arshadsons, said: “We feel that Pakistan is a brand-conscious market and high quality products at reasonable prices are in great demand. Indian Designers and garments are very popular in Pakistan; however, the only source of their availability is Dubai. We spotted this void between the demand and supply and hence thought of bringing Karmik to Pakistan. Our main aim is to use all the best marketing practices to ensure that the brand becomes a household name in Pakistan as we have been able to achieve the same for Quiz.”

Arshadsons is into retail franchise business since 2010 and has a master franchise for Pakistan from Quiz UK and Moda in Pelle, being in leather trade and several other businesses since 1947.

Karmik is a designer-wear fashion house which was launched at Lakme Fashion Week last year by its parent company Kimaya Fashions. It currently has 10 stores in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Chennai, Amritsar, and Jaipur. With 12 more stores in the immediate pipeline, Karmik plans to open 60 points of sales by 2015.