Retail insight as on 4th June 2010

Previous Issues

News: Apparel, Specialty, CDIT ...

Damani’s D Mart mulls pan-India footprint Business Standard D Mart, the R K Damani-promoted retail chain, is planning to go national in the next couple of months, by opening stores in ’key’ cities such as Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad. The nine-year-old chain would add at least 25 stores in the next one year to its existing 33 stores in Maharashtra and Gujarat, said an executive with D Mart. The retailer recently opened a 25,000 sq ft store in Hyderabad.

Lenders appeal on Vishal Retail asset sale Business Standard Lenders of bankrupt Vishal Retail who are part of the corporate debt restructuring (CDR) effort on its debts are planning to appeal against the High Court order that stops the sale of the company’s assets. The HC order was in response to a petition filed by DBS Bank, one of the non-CDR lenders, against the company to recover their debt of Rs 40 crore. The next date for hearing is in late November.

Womenswear brand b:kind launched in Mumbai Images Fashion M-square the popular menswear brand has launched a trendy and affordable womenswear brand b:kind in Mumbai. With a keen eye for fashion trends and quality, b:kind aims to bring a range of womenswear that is definitive in style and trend at affordable price points. The brand will provide practical everyday clothing with a keen eye on fashion," says entrepreneur Vidhi Shah, the brain behind the brand.

Tanishq aborts overseas plans Hindustan Times Tata-controlled Titan Industries Ltd, which has a 4 per cent market share in the domestic gold jewellery market, has shelved all plans for taking its branded jewellery abroad. The company cites an unusually stiff mark-up rate on retailing of golden jewellery, especially in the US market, has prompted it to re-strategise its marketing initiatives in the future. Titan Industries had taken its branded jewellery brand "Tanishq" to the US in 2008 and had opened two stores in New Jersey and Chicago.

News: Food & Grocery, QSR ...

Claridges to franchise Dhaba Franchiseindia.com New Delhi-based Claridges Hotels and Resorts is mulling over establishing its popular in-house Indian restaurant, Dhaba, as a standalone restaurant. The company is also considering extension of the brand to other Claridges properties. As per company officials, expansion of Dhaba will be done via franchising.

Carlyle picks up stake in Tirumala Dairy Economic Times A dairy headquartered in Hyderabad has now got funding from one of the largest PE firms in the world. The Carlyle group has reached a deal to pick up a minority stake in Tirumala Milk products, which has outlets across South India, according to a person familiar with the development.

Organic food is both new and ancient Financial Times A sign announcing the cafe inside Mumbai’s Farmers’ Market seems to sum up the whole enterprise: "Organic Cafe - Finally". The cafe, set in the market in tiny Nilgiri Garden at the heart of Bandra, a trendy northern suburb of India’s financial centre, serves popsicles that are flavoured naturally with palm syrup.

Retail Trends

Eat as you shop around Hindustan Times Shopping for lifestyle goods has become a "360-degree" experience in Delhi, with many stores now offering eating options where one can grab a quick bite or soak in a fine dining experience when not shopping. Home decor boutique Zaza last week added a bistro, Zaffiro to its kitty . Known for its contemporary kitsch art and antique home accessories, the store at Zamroodpur also boasts of a rooftop art gallery and a party zone.

Confessions of an online fashion voyeur Livemint Unlike glossy fashion magazines, online fashion sites like Bluefly and Net-a-Porter are superbly interactive, which makes them perfect for a fashion voyeurs. You can do close-ups of the clothes, turn them around, zoom out, match them with accessories, and pretty much do everything except try them on.

Retail Insight

Lessons from Merchants That Know How to Innovate Kurt Salmon Associates To address the increasingly complex challenges of today's marketplace, retailers are reinvesting in core capabilities, including internal product development functions. In this article, we explore the advantages, risks and best approach to building a world-class product development capability.