Although the government has allowed up to 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in single brand retail, only one such proposal from a retail company has been received till date, said Saurabh Chandra, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

"There is one proposal from Pavers India who have applied for a licence," Chandra said speaking Thursday on the sidelines of an event on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) FICCI event in New Delhi.

The government early this year had increased the FDI cap in single brand retail from 51 percent to 100 percent in order to make it easier for global chains like Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to have full ownership of their India operations. But till now only one company (Pavers India) has applied for license to set up a single brand retail company on its own in India.

UK-based footwear company Pavers Ltd is now seeking approval from the government to operate without a local partner after 100% foreign investment has been allowed in single-brand retail. Once approved, It will open its stores in India under the Pavers England brand.

The policy makes sourcing of at least 30% from the domestic small and cottage industries essential.

In 2008, Pavers formed a joint venture with the London based Foresight Group, a $500 million global conglomerate to focus on India's premium leather footwear retail. Later this joint venture made business tie up with the Chennai-based Forward Group, and launched Pavers England, the premium leather footwear brand in spring 2008.

The company markets it products through master franchisee Trident Retail and also at Reliance Footprint and Lifestyle retail outlets.