Tatas roll out aggressive expansion plan in south

The Tata Group, which runs many a retail format through its company Trent Ltd, is rolling out aggressive expansion plans in South India.

The Rs 700 crore company has outlined that its focus will be on the Southern and Western markets as it expands its hypermarkets (Star Bazaar), garment retailing chain (Westside), besides a book and music chain, Landmark.

According to Trent officials, the number of stores across these formats will touch the 100 mark in three years from the present 41 and nearly 30 per cent of the expansion will be in South India.

Trent presently has 14 stores in South India. The company declined to spell out investment details for the expansion, stating that they have enough internal resources to cater to this, post the recent Rights Issue.

According to industry information, Trent presently has cash reserves of close to Rs 250 crore. Trent will be opening its first hypermarket "" Star Bazaar in Bangalore on Friday and within three years, this city is expected to have at least six of these hypermarkets, which focuses on value retailing, in direct competition to Big Bazaar run by the Pantaloon Group.

The Star Bazaar in Bangalore will be spread over approximately 75,000 sq feet over three floors and will position itself on the 'Chota Budget, Lambi Shopping' motto.

Said Neeti Chopra, Head, marketing, Trent Ltd : "Retail boom in Bangalore is unprecedented and it is our privilege to launch the first Star Bazaar in the city. Though this is our first hypermarket here, we intend to expand its presence at a fast pace."

In a parallel move, Tata Sons which has a strategic partnership with Woolworth of Australia is understood to put in place a roadmap to launch the supermarket format in India, which will compete with FoodWorld and Spencer's.

Tata's through another firm Infiniti Retail has already rolled out 'Croma' chain of retail stores which sells consumer durables and appliances.