Future Group launches second Brand Factory in city

Hyderabad, Nov 30 (UNI) Future Group, the Rs 2,100 crore company, today opened its second retail format in India 'Brand Factory' here, before planning to roll out 55 outlets across 35 cities in the country by 2010.

Speaking at the inaugural function Central and BF Marketing Chief Rajesh Seth said "we are planning to launch atleast two outlets in the eight major metros in the country". Future Group, formerly Pantaloon, opened its first Brand Factory outlet in Bangalore early this week, and would move to Ahmedabad and Kolkata during December 2006, he added.

He said Brand Factory wanted to tap the middle segment which was huge but ignored by other retailers.

Each of the outlets, which stocked 120 brands of apparels along with footwears, jewellery, perfumes, sportswear and luggage, would mean Rs 15-17 crore investment. It would also host international brands and target the youth offering them great discounts, atleast 15-20 per cent cheaper than the factory outlets.

Mr Seth said "we expect atleast 75,000 customers a week and each Brand Factory outlet is likely to break-even with 12-14 months". The group was already negotiating with realtors to map the space for its plans for its outlets across the country, he added.

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