Ravissant to set up 40 Apple stores pan-India

Gurgaon, May 14 (UNI) Lifestyle major Ravissant plans to open upto 40 stores across India to provide Apple products such as iPods, desktops and notebooks on a franchise basis.

''We will set up 30-40 stores in the next 18 months across India, including the smaller cities,'' Ravisssant Director Vishal Chawla told UNI at the launch of the company's first store here late last evening.

Set up at a cost of 0.5 million dollars, this is the first Apple outlet in the NCR. ''We aim to do business worth 1.5 million dollars per store in the next quarter,'' he said.

Asked if Apple would set up a manufacturing unit provided the Government eased FDI norms in India, Apple Head (Delhi) Rajeshwar Dhupalia said no such plans were on the cards.

Depending on the sucess of the store, the company may work out a joint venture with Apple.

Ravissant's current productline includes leather, haute couture, silver and interior products.

UNI