Samsonite India, a premium manufacturer for travel bags, is on an expansion mode. In the year 2012, the company is setting up 50 new stores. As a part of the expansion, Samsonite has already launched ten stores in Pune during the last ten months. Samsonite will soon open its 300th Store in India in April 2012 .
Speaking to Business Standard, Subrata Datta, managing director, Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd, said, "Currently Samsonite has 292 stores in India and plans to add another 50 stores this year. The retail growth in Pune has been outstanding and has exceeded our expectations especially over the last couple of years . We have increased the number of stores in Pune from just five to fifteen in just 10 months. We would be adding two more stores very soon. Pune is growing faster and response to our stores is also very good . Our 300th store may be opened in Pune,” he said.
Adding further he informed, “Of these,120 stores will be company owned and the rest will be franchisee owned. Samsonite's non-travel segment products (accessories) contribute about 38 per cent of the companys business and it may contribute to 50 per cent as per the plans."
He added that business for non travel products which includes wallets, shoes, waist pouches and other accessories is also growing faster. Such products give a lifestyle angle to the brand .
He said that these products account for 38 per cent of the business and our endeavor would be to increase it to 50 per cent .
The company that has three brands -- Samsonite Black Label, Samsonite and American Tourister -- in its portfolio. Samsonite is also increasing its Samsonite Business Stores which are located at airports.
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According to Datta, the market share of Samsonite, has increased from 25 per cent to 45 per cent. Samsonite India has earned revenue of Rs 1,000 crore in 2011 which contributes 7.8 per cent to global Samsonite sales.
It is also expanding its accessories business which includes shoes, wallets, belts and purses. The company has a manufacturing facility at Nashik where it produces over one lakh bags annualy.
Recently Samonite also partnered with a new activity Saevus Wildlife, along with their anchor sponsor Samsonite, the world’s greatest marketer of travel products, launched Saevus, India’s premium wildlife and natural history magazine.