Retail insight on January 11th 2010

January 11, 2010

News for the retail industry

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News

Reliance Retail to open outlets at corporates' premises Economic Times Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Retail has devised a new business model, under which it will open small outlets at the premises of large corporates. The company, which is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, will soon approach big corporate houses with this proposal to implement the novel business plan, a top Reliance Retail official said.

Raymond to open 200 stores The Hindu Apparel major Raymond, world's third-largest maker of worsted fabric, plans to open over 200 stores across the country in the next one and half years to grow its business. "We have opened 100 stores in the last three months and plan to open 200 plus stores in the next 18 months," Raymond Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director Gautam Hari Singhania said.

Costa Coffee rejigs India strategy mydigitalfc.com British coffee chain, Costa Coffee has reworked its India strategy to turn profitable and expand its footprint. The new strategy involves closing unprofitable locations, segmenting strategy for different locations, changing the look and feel of outlets, and customising the menu to better suit the Indian palate.

Lladro to enter tier II cities mydigitalfc Spanish porcelain maker Lladro is looking to expand into tier II cities. The brand wants to increase its presence and redefine its presentation by opening shop-in-shops and Lladro exclusive stores. The brand, at present, has nine exclusive stores and 25 shop-in-shops across India.

Aromas coffee chain opens its second outlet Sakaal Times Through a tie-up with Ideal Hospitality Private Limited (IHPL), Global coffee chain, Aromas opened its second outlet at Koregoan Park, Pune, and the fourth in India, as part of a regional expansion plan. Speaking on the occasion, CMD, IHPL Jayant Mhaiskar said, "The company has received a very good response from its first outlet located on D P Road. As a result, we have decided to open a few more outlets across Pune with the next outlet being planned at F C Road."

Kodak plans to open 100 stores by 2012 Business Standard Imaging and printing solutions provider, Kodak India plans to open 100 Kodak Express stores in the country over the next two years, with an estimated investment of Rs 15 crore, a company official said.

Retail Trends

Stimulus exit should be calibrated: Biyani Livemint India's largest retail chain, Future Group, has been growing steadily, despite last year's slowdown. Chairman Kishore Biyani says the economic recovery is still fragile, and an interest rate increase may hurt growth. In an interview, he also said the government's exit from economic stimulus measures should be calibrated to protect the recovery.

Companies roll out women-friendly initiatives to retain female staffers Economic Times Ashni Biyani took her baby steps in the corporate world when she had joined the Future Group as director of Future Ideas three years ago, at the age of 25. Biyani belongs to a growing club of women who are in senior positions across India Inc, endorsing what companies are now figuring out: hire and retain women because it makes business sense.

Retail Insight

Integrated Capabilities for Global Sourcing and Import Logistics in the Retail Industry - A Smarter Strategy IBM This paper sets out to discuss the complex landscape faced by retailers today and proposes a smarter strategy for developing world-class global sourcing capabilities. The paper concludes with a maturity model against which to measure progress and some imperatives for getting it all done before your competition.