New Business Opportunity

Flagship textile brand of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries, Vimal, plans to add at least 38 stores to its retail network this fiscal FY 2011. The company currently has more than…

Gitanjali Gems' premium diamond jewellery brand Gili plans to expand its retail network in smaller towns even as it eyes a 50 per cent top-line growth this fiscal. Gili, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Gitanjali Gems, is looking at opening 31 stores this fiscal at an investment of Rs 200 crore. As the company is looking at expanding its store network to 50 this fiscal, total number of stores the company has as of now counts 19 EBOs besides 400 shop-in-shops. The company’s main focus will be on Tier II and III cities as the growth is coming in from there segments. Of course, Gili’s new stores will be a golden opportunity for in-store signage players and others like PSPs, sign suppliers, fabricators engaging in the retail sector.

Dubai-based Landmark Group is gearing up to strengthen its retail presence in Kolkata following the launch of its maiden outlet in Rajarhat. After opening the first store of its value…

Improvement in operational performance, fresh equity investments and FDI proposals has augured well for the organised retail sector in India. IIFL believes India’s largest listed retailer, Pantaloon Retail, is likely to increase its retail space over the next two-three years from an annual rate of two million sq ft currently to three-four million sq ft. The review shows performance of other retail giants like Koutons Retail, Pantaloon Retail, Shoppers’ Stop and Trent. Visibility to such mega expansion plans is a likely to contribute new business opportunity to in-store signage companies and others associated with retail sector.

Nokia India, betting big on its bouquet of mobile services, has forayed into a retail distribution model. The Finnish giant has set up 350 shop-in-shops inside mobile phone retail stores…

Eying 20 percent year-on-year growth for the next five years, VIP Industries Ltd (VIL), the major luggage manufacturer in India, plans to open 60-80 new outlets every year across the country. Moreover, the company is also planning to promote all its brands—Aristocrat, Alfa, Skybags, Footloose and its international brand—Carlton. In India, the company has 55 per cent market share in organized sector. Now that the luggage company is in the expansion mode, it is ascertained that signage companies engaging in the retail sector would bag a new business opportunity.

Reliance Footprint, the footwear specialty store from Reliance Retail recently launched the first 'ASICS' store in Kochi. Recently, Reliance Footprint announced an exclusive partnership with ASICS Corporation Japan, one of…

L'Occitane, the natural skincare and beauty brand, is on an expansion mode. After recently becoming the first French company to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and being oversubscribed 160 times, it is now entering the Indian spa market in partnership with Devi Resorts. The company’s three stores in the country have been very successful. Its original plan was to open 20 stores in the next five years, but returns have been promising and planning to open four more by the end of this year. The new upmarket spa stores are indeed an opportunity where signage companies will able to unfold new business.

American lifestyle brand (BHPC) introduced by Spencer’s Retail last year, is making its brand visibility in Mumbai by opening a standalone store. The new 1,000 sq ft store has come…

Essar Steel announces its expansion plans in Madhya Pradesh for its exclusive steel showrooms, hypermart and retail outleta, Expressmart. The company launched Hypermart in Govindpura and the Pithampur industrial area. The company also plans to open more Hypermarts— exclusive one-stop shops for its steel products. Essar Hypermarts, established in Gandhidham (Gujarat), are known for their exclusive steel products like sheets and bars. The company operates its Hypermarts on a lease basis, while Expressmarts are retail franchisee stores. The new upmarket outlets will let in-store signage companies embark upon a new business opportunity.

Harley-Davidson, the US-based heavyweight bike maker, opens its dealership outlet in Chandigarh. Continuing with its plans of entering the Indian market, the company opened its second outlet after inaugurating its…

Iken Store is India’s first-of-its-kind edutainment store shelving Iken range of products and services. Mexus Education, an education innovations enterprise, announces their strategic foray in education retail with the launch of Iken Store, India’s first edutainment store, in Mumbai. This will be the first store launch in Mumbai, in a chain of branded stores across India, which will feature innovative educational products under the brand name ‘Iken’. The concept of Iken Store is poised to introduce the realm of ‘edutainment’ to Indian audience. And the store will unfold a new business opportunity for in-store signage players, PSPs, and fabricators as well.