Luxmi Tea, which owns the iconic Makaibari brand, is planning to set up 100 exclusive stores across the country in the next three years. Some of these exclusive outlets will have tea lounges. Owing to the prolonged agitation in Darjeeling last year, the entire Makaibari crop, except the first flush, was destroyed, leading to a loss of around Rs 3 crore. This year, the company is expecting a good flush. All the international buyers have retained their faith in Makaibari despite its non-availability last year. The premium garden produces nearly one lakh kg of tea annually, a bulk of which are exported. The company owns 18 tea gardens – 15 in Assam and one each in Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars. Luxmi Tea’s store expansion plan will bring a new business opportunity for the signage companies whose activities involve in in-store branding or graphic projects.
