Shoppers' Stop to set up 15 hypermarts

Retail major Shoppers' Stop Limited is planning to set up 15 stand-alone hypermarkets across the country, which may turn out to be the largest hypermarkets in the country, in the next five years.

"Our first hypermarket will be inaugurated in September/October 2005 and each hypermarket will have an area of 65,000-80,000 square feet," Andrew Levermore, head-merchandising (food division) of Shoppers' Stop, said.

"The hypermarkets will have 35,000 products and most of them will be sourced locally," Levermore said. He, however, refused to divulge the investment figures and the names of the local manufacturers that they would be tying up with. "We are looking at setting up the hypermarkets in the metro cities," he added.

Shoppers' Stop currently has a considerable presence across the country through its 15 stores. The hypermarkets may carry a different brand name but will further strengthen the group's presence in the country.