Biyani opens community shops
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.
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.
Retail chain Suvidhaa Infoserve has announced it plans to open 1,000-1,200 new outlets every month across the country and eyeing one-lakh strong networks in the next two-three years. As of now, this Mumbai-based retail firm has 18,000 convenient neighbourhood stores called ‘Suvidhaa Point’ across the country in more than 20 states and over 400 cities. The company’s further expansion plan will be an golden opportunity for the signage companies where in-store media majors and signage suppliers can embark upon new areas to exploit.
In its first phase of operations, Bharti Retail has strengthened its position in north India by opening 59 stores in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi, called Easy Day stores. In addition, the comany has also launched three compact hyper stores called Easy Day Market in Punjab. In the next five years, it is planned to offer approximately 10 million square feet of retail experience across all cities in India. This will be a big opportunity for the signage industry where in-store media companies and signage supplies can embark upon the new landscape.
Mahindra First Choice, an arm of Mahindra and Mahindra Group (M&M) which sells used cars, announced it would set up sales and service outlets in rural areas across India to sell one lakh vehicles by 2015. In 2008-09, the company sold 10,255 vehicles. Around 20 percent of their business come from the C segment in Tier-II and III cities, while 80 percent of the revenues come from metros and state capitals. The company aims to tap rural market through its expansion plans and this new drive of the company will offer outdoor media companies a chance to hit upon the rural parameter.
Textiles major, Alok Industries, will dilute a 33 percent stake in its subsidiary Alok H&A in return for a Rs 45 crore infusion from Asiabridge Fund 1 LLC. The entire funding as well as the transfer of stake will occur over a period of two years. Alok H&A, currently a 100 percent subsidiary of Alok Industries, is a leading Cash & Carry player in the home textiles, garments and accessories segments. The mega expansion of Alok H&A will be a big opportunity for in-store media companies and signage suppliers in the signage sector.
Fastrack, a fashion accessories brand from Titan Industries Ltd, is mulling to take the number of its exclusive stores to 50 across in India by April 2010. Most of the outlets would be operated on franchisee model with an investment of Rs 40-50 lakh and a floor space of 400-500 sq ft. The brand, whose mainstay is watches and sunglasses, forayed into accessories like belts, hats and bags this year and the new store expansion plan is undoubtedly a sunshine opportunity for signage players like in-store media companies as well as signage suppliers.
Tesco, the third largest retailer in the world, is planning to open its first wholesale Cash & Carry outlet in India this year. The company already has presence in the country through a joint venture with Tata and its stores are located in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Tesco operated 4,331 stores worldwide and employed 470,000 people in 14 countries and this solo entry of the company into India will benefit even the signage segment, particularly in-store signage companies and print providers.