Carlton Luggage to open 20 brand stores in India this year: CEO

Panaji, Mar 20 (UNI) UK-based premium luggage products brand Carlton, is set to open 20 exclusive brand stores in India with an investment of Rs 4 crore by this year end, said Mr Suresh Menon, Chief Executive Officer of the company here today.

Distributed in over 60 countries and recently acquired by the VIP Industries for Rs 60 crore, the company has opened its stores in Goa, the fourth after its stores in Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi.

Mr Menon told reporters the premium luggage market size is Rs 120 crore as against the Rs 600 crore branded market in India, VIP Industries had 65 per cent share of the market as of now.

Carlton hopes to net Rs 20 crore sales turn-over in the first years of its operations as against Rs 450 crore worldwide.

Travellers have, of late, been preferring soft luggage products as against hard luggage for fashion, light weight and convenience, he said.

''The VIP Industries would also bring to India shortly other brands considered premium and super premium in the world markets,'' he said.

Carlton strives to give innovative products designed to offer high aesthetics and functional flexibility as they are designed by French designer Jean P Denat in London since its inception in 1972, Mr Menon added.

UNI