French luxury brand Louis Vuitton has shut shop in Chennai, just over a year after it opened its store at the high-end Bergamo Mall, in upmarket Khader Nawaz Khan Road.
In a communication to its customers, LV’s country manager said: “As a valued client, I am writing to inform you that the Louis Vuitton Chennai store will merge its operations with the Louis Vuitton Bangalore store.
“Starting November 25, 2013, Ms. Vidya Rao, Store Manager, and her team will be pleased to personally welcome you at our store at U.B. City Mall, Bangalore.
“Please feel free to contact us at [Bangalore phone number] to schedule a personal appointment and discover the new evening collection.”
The letter, dated October 15, 2013, was signed by Marko Jovanovic, country manager, Louis Vuitton, India.
LV Chennai’s listed phone numbers are still working. A representative, who picked up the landline, confirmed that the store was shut, but was unaware of why the shift had taken place. “It was a management decision,” he said, and added that customers were welcome to the Bangalore store.
Louis Vuitton, which entered India about a decade ago, was keen on expanding and had opened its fifth Indian store in Chennai. The mall, Bergamo, was developed as a luxury destination by its promoters, and housed other big brands such as Jimmy Choo as well.
Louis Vuitton was the flagship store of Bergamo, and the two had worked out a deal that worked well for both, people in the know of the deal said, on condition of anonymity.
