Reliance Retail has struck a new partnership with Wesgro, the official trade and investment promotion agency for South Africa’s Western Cape, to introduce premium South African food and beverage products to India. The launch took place in Mumbai, where Reliance rolled out the initiative across its Freshpik and Go Fresh outlets, reinforcing its ambition to position these formats as destinations for global gourmet products.
The inauguration was marked by the presence of South African cricketing star Herschelle Gibbs and Gidian Labane, Consul General of South Africa in Mumbai, underscoring the growing cultural and trade links between the two countries. Damodar Mall, Chief Executive of Reliance Retail’s grocery division, said the collaboration was designed to strengthen Reliance’s international sourcing strategy and widen access to authentic global tastes for Indian consumers.
The Western Cape region, often described as South Africa’s food and wine capital, is known for its premium agricultural exports. The curated selection now available in India spans packaged foods, beverages, and gourmet staples that are increasingly sought after by a rising segment of urban shoppers.
India’s appetite for international food products has been expanding rapidly. According to industry estimates, the gourmet food market in India is valued at over USD 1.3 billion and is growing at a compound annual rate of around 20 percent. Reliance Retail, which operates more than 19,000 stores across the country, has been steadily expanding its premium formats to capture this demand.
For Wesgro, the partnership opens a significant retail channel in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets. For Reliance, it is another step in building a differentiated portfolio that blends domestic staples with global premium brands.
