Chinese investment group Fosun has entered the German retail market.

Fosun has invested in German fashion and lifestyle company Tom Tailor, operator of Tom Tailor and Bonita brands. The Hong Kong-listed Fosun has led a consortium to take 23.16 per cent stake in the company, which operates a chain of more than 250 retail stores in Germany, Austria and neighbouring markets.

“We assess the entry of Fosun as confirmation for the Tom Tailor, the quality of our brands and our strategy which is consistently directed towards profitable growth,” said Tom Tailor CEO Dieter Holzer.

Fosun, and the funds under its management have already invested in a number of brands including the Greek fashion retail group Folli Follie, the US upscale female apparel brand St. John and the high-end Italian menswear manufacturer Caruso.

Fosun president Wang Qunbin says they’re planning to expand the Tom Tailor brands into the Chinese market.