Estée Lauder is set to open the first of four anticipated freestanding stores in India, a boutique in Mumbai's premier luxury mall, Galleria @ the Trident in June 2008.

Over the next six months, Estée Lauder is also scheduled to launch a freestanding store in Bangalore's UB City Mall and two freestanding stores in Delhi, one in Promenade and one in Courtyard Malls.

Over the next three years, Estée Lauder plans to open 20 locations and expand into cities including Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata.

"The timing is right to bring Estée Lauder to India," said John Demsey, Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies. "Many Indian women are already aware of Estée Lauder, and we are thrilled to bring them their brand of choice, and introduce the brand to a whole new generation of women.  I'm confident that Estée Lauder will be a huge success in India."

Founded in the United States by the late Mrs. Estée Lauder in 1946, who believed that "all women can be beautiful", today the Estée Lauder brand is sold at more than 18,000 locations in more than 135 countries and territories.

Estée Lauder is known around the world for its skin care, makeup and fragrance and trusted to deliver technologically advanced, high performance products that are innovative, sophisticated and of superior quality.

All locations in India will feature the brand's best selling global products as well as specific products chosen specifically for Indian consumers.