A team from Abercrombie & Fitch, a prominent US clothing chain, was in India recently to explore setting up shop in the country, according to a top executive of a consultancy firm.

Gap, another big brand from the US, is learnt to have stepped up enquiries about the Indian market after the government recently allowed up to 100 percent foreign direct investment in single brand retail.

Other global retailers such as Swedish furniture major IKEA, the UK's Arcadia group and US coffee brand Starbucks are reported to be giving finishing touches to their India plans.