Yes, Raymond is an Indian brand.
Overview
Raymond Group is one of India’s oldest and largest integrated textile and apparel companies, known especially for suiting fabric, menswear, and its retail chain “The Raymond Shop.” It’s headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and is often associated with the tagline “The Complete Man,” used in decades of advertising. Beyond textiles, the Raymond Group has diversified over the years into apparel, garmenting, real estate, FMCG (through ventures like Park Avenue and KamaSutra), engineering, and more.
Origin Story
- 1925: The origins trace back to a small woollen mill established in Thane, near Mumbai, originally called the Raymond Woollen Mill.
- 1944: The Singhania family, led by Lala Juggilal Singhania and later his descendants, acquired the mill, bringing it under what would become the Singhania business empire.
- Vijaypat Singhania era: Under Vijaypat Singhania’s leadership starting in the 1980s, Raymond transformed from primarily a fabric manufacturer into a full-fledged lifestyle and fashion brand, launching “The Raymond Shop” retail format and building its reputation for premium suiting fabric.
- Growth: Raymond became known as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of worsted suiting fabric, and expanded into ready-to-wear garments, denim, and other textile-related businesses.
- Family dispute & succession: Like several large Indian family businesses, Raymond went through a well-publicized succession/family dispute between Vijaypat Singhania and his son Gautam Singhania, who now leads the group.
- Recent restructuring: In more recent years, the Raymond Group has undergone corporate restructuring, including demerging its lifestyle business (Raymond Lifestyle) from its real estate and engineering businesses, to unlock value across its different segments.
FAQ
Q: Is Raymond a fully Indian-owned company?
Yes — it’s controlled by the Singhania family and is a homegrown Indian business group.
Q: What is Raymond best known for?
Premium suiting and shirting fabric, and menswear — it’s a household name in Indian formal and semi-formal clothing.
Q: Does Raymond operate outside India?
Yes, Raymond exports fabric and has some international retail presence, but its base, ownership, and core identity remain Indian.
Q: Is Raymond only a clothing brand?
No — the broader Raymond Group has interests beyond apparel, including real estate, engineering, and consumer products, though the “Raymond” name is most associated with fabric and fashion.
Q: Who owns Raymond today?
The Singhania family remains the controlling promoter group, with Gautam Singhania as Chairman and Managing Director.
