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Archive for June 22nd, 2008

Koutons Retail to launch footwear range by October 08

Posted by footwearglobal on June 22, 2008, Sunday

Chandigarh June 22, 2008

In sync with its plans to position itself as a complete family store, Gurgaon-based Koutons Retail Ltd has decided to launch its footwear range for men and kids by October this year.

“We will come out with our footwear range for men and kids by October this year as part of our strategy to offer complete range of wardrobe and accessories to customers under one roof,” Koutons Retail President Balvinder Singh Ahluwalia said here.

The apparel manufacturing company would source footwear from China as well as India for its retail stores, he said.

Besides, the company has also firmed up plans to foray into overseas market with the opening of its first store in Dubai next year.

“The store is aimed to cater to the requirements of Indians living in Middle East countries,” he said. However, the company is yet to decide whether to open company owned store or to have an collaborative arrangement with other firms for this purpose. The company also plans to enter the European market.

“Definitely we will move to Europe but that may happen next year,” he said. Following an aggressive expansion plans, the company would open over 500 stores this year with an expected investment of over Rs 100 crore.

Koutons plans to increase the strength of their stores from 1,263 at present to 1,800 stores by this fiscal end,” Ahluwalia said.

Source:

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It’s gotta be the shoes

Posted by footwearglobal on June 22, 2008, Sunday

For some women, 500 pair in a closet — OK, a pair of closets — is nothing

Story of a shoe addict by  By JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer

complete Story: its-gotta-be-the-shoes

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News – India

Posted by footwearglobal on June 22, 2008, Sunday

Bata India sells “Hawai” Brand

The ‘Hawai’ brand of slippers, popular in the 1970’s and 80’s has been sold to Brazilian company, Sau Paolo Alparagatas SA for an estimated Rs3.91 cr

Kolkata: Footwear company Bata India Limited has sold its popular mass brand, ‘Hawai’ to Sau Paolo Alparagatas SA, a Brazilian company for an estimated Rs3.91 crore.
PM Sinha, chairman of the company confirmed the news and said that the Hawai brand of slippers were being imitated by numerous local manufacturers and this was the main cause for the decision to sell out.
On account of declining margins on a brand that was a must have for all middle class consumers in the 1970’s and 80’s and stiff competition from local manufacturers and even Chinese imports, the company took the decision of exiting this category of products.
Meanwhile, Bata India has announced the decision to open 240 new stores during the course of three years.
Source: livemint.com

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