The Dubai-based Landmark Group will enter Indian food shopping sector with two major outlets opening next month.

The retail conglomerate has signed an agreement with international retail franchise Spar, which licences Max Hypermarkets, part of the Landmark Group, to open Spar branded hypermarkets and supermarkets across India, said a report in Gulf News.

The first two stores, a 100,000 sq ft hypermarket and a 30,000 sq ft supermarket, will open in Bangalore in October.

The move is Landmark Group's first venture into food retailing, the report said.

Company officials said they will benefit from Spar's retail expertise since it was founded in The Netherlands more than 70 years ago.

"The Landmark Group is happy with this association. We believe it will help the group to expand into food retailing and bring in international standards and operations on par with the rest of the food retailers globally," said Micky Jagtiani, chairman of Landmark Group.

The company will initially focus on opening hypermarkets in Southern India, but eventually aims to expand its portfolio throughout the country.