Kolkata hosts Asia's largest franchise and retail expo

Kolkata, Jun 08 (UNI) To benefit the retail and service sectors like education, consultancy and travel, Asia's biggest show on franchise and retail expo-'' Franchise and Retail Opportunities 2007'' got underway here today.

This follows the successful expositions by Franchise India Holding Limited (FIHL) in 12 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chandigarh.

About 25,000 business visitors across five regions of the country are attending the two-day expositions to seek 'right options' for business and investment opportunities.

Briefing mediapersons here today, FIHL CEO Sachin Maya said the event would address the issues of franchising and retailing in food, hospitality, entertainment and education.

The expo will throw light on the speciality services, lifestyle retail, fashion retail and luxury retail, he added.

"Currently India's retail sector is highly fragmented and the organised retail is in its nascent stage. This expo will provide a platform for sharing of information and honing skills and strategy,'' Mr Maya observed.

He also informed that ''India ranks first, ahead of Russia, in terms of emerging market potential in retail and is deemed a 'priority 1' market for international retail.

UNI