Raymond to open 600 more flagship stores across India

Kochi, Oct 21 (UNI) Raymond Ltd Chairman and MD Gautam Hari Singhania today said the company would open 600 more flagship stores across the country in three years as part of its retail expansion strategy.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a kids store, 'Zapp', here, he said, ''Raymond, the numero uno brand in apparels, plans to increase the number of stores from 400 to 1,000 in three years.'' About 100 stores including six Zapp stores would be opened by the end of this fiscal, he added.

''The Zapp brand intends to provide quality clothes to kids and these dresses are designed at a design store in Italy,'' he added.

Steering Raymond ahead on the growth path, the company had recently invested over Rs 225 crore for capacity expansion and setting up of new garment units.

The new showroom spread over 3,000 sq ft in two floors, would provide a unique shopping treat for kids in the age group between four and 14, with wide variety of merchandise and exciting in-store experience.

On the investor climate in Kerala, he said ''the State has great potential but it has to be promoted to attract more investments into the state.'' ''The state had core competency in tourism and that sector should also be capitalised,'' he added.

On rupee appreciation, he said the country was growing at a fast rate and the strengthening of currency was inevitable and the Indian industry should be able to tackle its consequences.

The store launch was followed by a fashion show, with kids taking the ramp, showcasing Zapp's Autumn Winter 2007 Moda Superstar collections.

The collection blended with international trends and colours in the Indian panorama, by bringing in rich, deep tones of fuchsia, chilli and forest greens against warm neutral backgrounds.

UNI