Fabindia
India
Fabindia is an Indian retailer of handcrafted clothing, textiles and home products, founded in 1960 by American John Bissell and headquartered in New Delhi. It is privately held and sources its products through community-owned companies in which artisans hold equity.
| Founded | 1960 |
|---|---|
| Founder | John Bissell |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Chairman | William Nanda Bissell (per Wikipedia) |
| First store | 1976, Greater Kailash, New Delhi |
| Ownership | Privately held |
| Website | fabindia.com |
What is Fabindia?
Fabindia is an Indian retail brand built on traditional crafts and handloom textiles. It sells clothing, home furnishings and accessories, and is described by Wikipedia as privately held and community-owned.
History
The company was founded in 1960 by John Bissell, an American working for the Ford Foundation, as an export company for home furnishings, Fabindia Inc., incorporated in Canton, Connecticut. Bissell started it in two small rooms next to his bedroom in Golf Links, New Delhi, financed by a 20,000 US dollar legacy from his grandmother. It entered domestic retail in 1976 with its first store in Greater Kailash, New Delhi, which remains its registered office.
Ownership and sourcing
Wikipedia states that Fabindia sources its products through 17 community-owned companies in which artisans hold a share of equity. William Nanda Bissell, John Bissell's son, is chairman, and the infobox lists him as managing director. In 2007, 6 percent of the company was sold to Wolfensohn Capital Partners, a private equity firm. These details are from the encyclopaedia entry and may have changed since.
Business model and distribution
Fabindia operates its own stores in India and a smaller international network, with outlets listed in Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Rome and Guangzhou. The article gives conflicting store counts, 350 in India and 14 abroad as of July 2020 in one place and 137 in India in another, so no current figure is stated here.
Why it matters
Fabindia is one of India's most recognisable heritage-craft retail brands and a frequently cited model for linking rural artisans to urban consumers through branded retail.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Fabindia?
Fabindia is privately held. Wikipedia reports that 6 percent was sold to Wolfensohn Capital Partners in 2007 and that William Nanda Bissell, son of the founder, is chairman.
Where is Fabindia from?
Fabindia is an Indian brand headquartered in New Delhi. It was founded in 1960 by American John Bissell and opened its first retail store in 1976.