RPG to sell Spencer's retail stake, opening more stores
RPG Enterprises Ltd is in talk with private-equity companies for selling a stake in its retail venture, Spencer’s Retail Ltd, at a time when a rebound in consumer demand is spurring retail operators to seek funds for expansion. The transaction would depend on right valuations and right conditions. In turn, the company would open 10-15 large stores across the country this year. RPG currently operates about 220 outlets, comprising the Spencer’s chain of small neighbourhood stores and Spencer’s Hyper chain of large stores. RPG’s expansion plan is indeed a golden opportunity for in-store media companies and signage suppliers for grabbing new business.
Chennai-based BurgerMan Foods India Private Limited is planning to add 150 food kiosks in Hyderabad by the end of 2010. Launch of 30 outlets, equipped with a refrigerator, microwave oven and a billing counter and manned by two employees trained by Indian Institute of Kiosk Management is the first phase of the expansion. At the kiosks, it’s not only items for foodies but also a new taste of signage offering to signage companies, print providers and signage suppliers across the region.
Grab your favourite bags, belts, wallets, wristbands and other Fastrack accessories from the new Fastrack stores in Delhi. After the successful launch of 14 Fastrack stores across nine cities, Fastrack has recently unveiled the doors of its first two Exclusive Fastrack Stores in New Delhi at Kamala Nagar and Satyaniketan. Both the stores are located in pivotal hubs of Delhi and make perfect destinations for youth fashions. These two destinations attracting youngsters across the city is a new opportunity for signage companies, such as in-store signage majors, signage suppliers and print providers.
Vision Express, the joint venture between Reliance Retail and Dutch optical retailer Pearle Europe, has announced its new move embarking on an expansion spree with plan to open 60-70 outlets every year and tap large format stores and malls. The JV in which the Mukesh Ambani- promoted retailer has 50 per cent stake, is moving into Aditya Birla Group’s ‘More’ hypermart. The company also said as part of its growth strategy that they will focus on expanding in the Tier-II cities and concentrate more on private labels. Now, the signage sector is also one blessed group with a fresh business opportunity following the expansion of Vision Express stores.
Mahindra First Choice Wheels Limited, a multibrand pre-used car dealer plans to open its new superstore that can house over 100 cars, soon in Hyderabad. The company recently opened two outlets in the city, where the pre-used car market is about 6,000 units a month, almost the same as sales of new cars. Mahindra First Choice has 114 dealerships, including six company-owned outlets and further expansion of it brings a broader opportunity to the signage industry benefiting in-store signage companies.
Expanding its internet service retail business, net service provider Sify is planning to venture into single-PC internet kiosk business, besides opening 2,000 additional outlets of its iWay internet cafe chain across the country. The company started the pilot peoject in single-PC internet kiosk format and has tied up with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to provide customer facilities. It has also been planned to take this format to all the metros and are in talks with some government agencies. The single-PC outlets would be low invetsment manned outlets providing 45 different services that include internet, VOIP and travel booking. These kiosks will be a new room where signage players like in-store media companies as well as sign printers could embark upon to unfold new buisnses.
Future Group, which runs the country’s largest listed retailer Pantaloon Retail, is in talk for a foreign tie-up and hopes to file papers for an IPO in its investment arm soon. The company has been in touch with many overseas retailers to unveil cash-and-carry outlets in India this year. This tie-up with global retailers would provide Future Group expertise in retail, sourcing of raw materials and funds. Future Group’s plan is to add three million square feet of space annually with an average investment of 10 billion rupees in the next five years. This mega expansion plan will bring a new sunshine in the Indian retail segment where in-store media companies and signage suppliers could embark upon a new momentum.
Bombay Swadeshi Stores, the gift and home retail chain, which sells under the brand of The Bombay Store, is planning to set up 16 stores by fiscal 2012. The company is looking at upcoming new airports in the country for locating some of the new stores. With its current 11 stores across the country, the store chain has to set up outlets in major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Aurangabad, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore, Chandigarh and Udaipur. Majority of its clientele comprises those who purchase Indian artifacts and home accessories as gifts. And the new stores will be golden den for signage players like in-store media companies as well as signage suppliers across the cities.
Knitwear and fabrics brand TT announces that they will expand their exclusive retail chain and introduce new range of products in the premium segment for women and kids as part of its plan to achieve a turnover of Rs 200 crore by next fiscal. The company’s is two-pronged with focus on both market and product expansions. Last year they started the concept of small neighbourhood stores (which) operated on the franchise model and so far they have opened 20 such outlets. And their aim is to have 50 such stores by the end of 2010 and it would be a silver lining for signage players like in-store media majors as well as signage suppliers to grab a new business opportunity.
Organic India, which is involved in organic farming in Uttar Pradesh and export of herbal products abroad, has now embarked upon setting up its own chain of exclusive retail stores across the country. The company has already opened a retail store in Maharashtra and is in the process of inaugurating six more stores in Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Nagpur and Lucknow by March end this year. The new stores might cheer in-store media companies and signage suppliers for a new business.