Godrej expands to move into kitchenware segment
Godrej Appliances, the white goods division of Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co Ltd, is planning to
diversify into kitchen appliances and focus on low-cost water purifiers for growth. The diversification will help create synergy with group firms such as Godrej Interio, which makes modular kitchens. The move will also build on the appliances range, which includes microwave ovens, refrigerators and water purifiers. The affordable purifiers also complement the existing low-cost refrigerator—Chotukool—that caters to the rural market. The expansions will account for close to 30 percent of revenue even as the company remains a white goods maker and what it delivers to the signage segmnent in this respect is a new business opportunity opening to in-store signage companies.
Cash-and-carry retailer Booker plans to open a raft of new stores in India after an initial outlet in Mumbai proved a massive success. Booker chain, which is run by former Marks & Spencer executive Charles Wilson, annnounces that a second branch will be openned in Mumbai this financial year. It will also test the opening of a franchised Booker branch in an unspecified other Indian city with a local partner. The company believes that outside Mumbai, expansion with partners could accelerate the roll-out. Arrival of more Booker stores in major cities across the country will open a new business opportunity to the in-store signage segment.
Babycare retailer Mothercare, which now has 1,115 stores in 52 countries, saw its fourth successive year of like-for-like sales growth in the UK but is “planning cautiously” for more sluggish conditions as shoppers feel the squeeze. The company is driving its overseas operations through franchising, which allows it to profit from royalties on international sales for the use of its brands without heavy capital investment. The group is targeting India as key growth markets after forming joint ventures with local partners. Mothercare expects to have 70 stores in India open by the end of the current year, with a medium-term target of 200. Now, a care for a new business with the opening of Mothercare stores is for the signage companies, such as in-store media majors, signage suppliers, etc.
Titan Industries, a leading producer of watches, has planned to expand its reach by adding 300 outlets in big and small cities across India. The company is expanding its reach to 1,500 outlets in Tier- I, II and III cities from the present 1,200 outlets. The company’s 1,200 outlets are spread across 140 cities in the country. To strengthen its focus on the kids segment, the company just launched its Zoop brand. Now, it’s time for signage companies, particularly those engaged in in-store activities will find the new Titan stores a new zone for new business.
Apparel maker and retailer Cantabil announces opening of around 150 outlets this fiscal as a part of its expansion plan be funded by the firm’s upcoming initial public offering. The company is also going ahead with its plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Bahadurgarh (Haryana) as it looks to increase capacity to cater to the rise in demand. Cantabil currently operates 381 outlets across the country -including 206 stores of its family-wear brand ‘Cantabil’ and 175 stores of the menswear brand ‘La Fanso’. An advantage in this big news is for signage companies dealing in in-store signage, print supply, sign making, fabrication, etc.
fiscal to increase its pan-India. This year, the company is looking for new outlets in cities like Nagpur, Vadodara and Surat. Every year Forever Jewellery plans to open 4-5 stores, besides 12-15 Navras retail outlets at Big Bazaar and 18-20 of Carbon brand sales points in the country. The company has tied up with Future Group to sell its Navras brand designer jewellery at stores operated by the Big Bazaar chain and last year acquired the Bangalore-based Carbon brand for retail sales promotion. Forever Jewellery has 59 Carbon brand outlets, 49 Navras brand outlets at Big Bazaar chain stores and six Forever stores across the country, of which three are in Gujarat. Now is the time for every in-store signage companies to think over plans to exploit the high-end jewellery zone to crack a new business opportunity.
Real estate developer, Alpha Corp recently opened the doors of their stunning AlphaOne mega retail and entertainment development in Amritsar, Punjab. After the inauguration of the eagerly awaited AlphaOne, thousands of enthusiastic visitors made a beeline for AlphaOne coming in hordes on all three days of the weekend. The total weekend sales at AlphaOne were over 2 crore rupees. The revenue generated at Flavours, the food court was Rs. 6.41 lacs on Sunday alone. The biggest retail, lifestyle and entertainment destination centre of Punjab has the best mix of international, national and regional brands. Apart from shoppers, this full-packed AlphaOne outlet is a warm place for signage companies looking for grabing new business in the in-store sector.
Luxury brand Da Milano has their collections primed to penetrate the world of high fashion retail in Mumbai. It has recently launched its first exclusive store situated within the trendy Linking Road, Mumbai. This swanky store is spread over 2000 square feet and reflects a minimal yet striking décor to attract the young and uber stylish urban crowd. With an all glass frontage, the off white backdrop of the store with soft green wall paper, warm wooden shelves, glazed marble flooring and effective lighting helps to bring out the designs and the vibrant colors of the collections on display prominently. No doubt, such high-end exclusive store is the right spot where in-store signage companies could mint new business.
William Penn, multi-brand retail store chain housing premium fine writing instruments, desktop and lifestyle accessories, has announced its plans to expand retail network in India to 15 stores by 2010 end. Launching its fourth store in Bangalore, the company considers India as a booming market for luxury goods. Luxury brands from across the world have got interested in India because of the rise in purchasing power and the expansion of William Penn retail chain will also be a new business opportunity for in-store media companies, sign suppliers, print providers, etc.