New Business Opportunity

Max, the largest value fashion brand in Middle East, marks its entry into Kolkata retail world, with its first store […]

RPG Enterprises’ retail arm Spencer’s Retail will invest about Rs 100 crore to open up to 15 large stores across

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.

FUJIFILM India Pvt Ltd has announced that it has chalked out decisive retail sales and customer care strategies to consolidate

Christian Fabre, a leading man’s designer wear brand, has set to step into booming retail business by opening new outlets.

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.

Shoppers’ Stop is planning to expand over the next three years to catch up with competitions. The company was among

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.

One-and-a-half years after signing a joint venture (JV) with Italy’s Diesel, Reliance Brands, a division of Reliance Retail is set

In its first phase of operations, Bharti Retail has strengthened its position in north India by opening 59 Easy Day

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.

Marks & Spencer Reliance India Pvt Ltd, a JV between Marks & Spencer Group and a unit of India’s Reliance

V Dot and Van Heusen are tied at the hips and they do not intend to separate since it has

There’s an increasing realisation that in India where purchasing power is a significant factor, people go shopping as communities. Now that the needs of particular community in terms of their food or religious purchases will be the same irrespective of their bank balance, Biyani has opened a 70,000 sq ft pilot store in Malleswaram. And two existing Big Bazaar outlets in Banasankari and Old Madras Road will also be converted into community shopping centres. The format will also be replicated in other cities too. Now, signage players will get a new opportunity to rope in these new shops truly filled with spirit of community stuffs.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) plans to convert 60 ‘In & Out’ outlets into profit making ventures such as food courts and coffee shops by the next fiscal. The company has tied up with leading food chains like McDonald’s to revamp the stores and has earmarked an investment of Rs 20 crore for the purpose. The state-run petroleum major has 300 ‘In & Out’ outlets across the country and has already revamped 50 of them so far. Now, it’s time for everyone to evening hangout at In & Out food corners and bigger opportunity is for signage companies to rope in the new outlets.

Kidswear brand Gini & Jony plans to rise up to Rs 125 crore through an Initial Public Offer (IPO) this

Renowned apparel house Raymond announces its plan to increase revenue from retail business up to 40 percent in two years from the current Rs 1,000 crore, for which the company will add more stores in smaller towns. The company is looking at 30-40 percent jump in revenue from retail business in the next two years from the current turnover of about Rs 1,000 crore. There will be around 250 stores in tier II and tier III cities, and most of them would be in the franchisee model with the size varying between 1,000-1,500 sq ft. Such introduction of new stores in smaller towns will bring in new business opportunity for signage players working on in-store displays and sign suppliers.