Raymond unveils 'one-of-a-kind' store in Mumbai

Mumbai, July 25, 2006: Raymond Ltd. today unveiled its largest flagship store in the country at SV Road, Andheri (West). Sprawled over 10,000 sq ft, the one-of-a-kind store - Raymond's first flagship store in India offers customers the entire range of Raymond fabrics and apparel brands in an ultra-premium ambience that's a fusion of contemporary style and traditional design elements.

The store was inaugurated by Mr. Pradeep Bhandari, Group President and Wholetime Director, Raymond Ltd

This unique store with the most contemporary retail and visual merchandising design concepts has been designed by Blocher Blocher and Partners, a renowned German specialist design house with vast experience in working with leading international brands for men.

The Raymond flagship store is spread over two levels "� both of which are connected with wide suspended staircase in steel. The design of store communicates Raymond's message, marrying the brand's cultural qualities with ventures into modernity. Modern materials and traditional forms, warm colours and cool glass, high gloss, stainless steel and leather are the statements made by the Raymond, the umbrella brand.

Indian ornaments are interpreted in two different ways: progressively within a back lighted corpus produced by a milled corean structure in the tailoring services and as classic wood carvings along the staircase.

Estoril Biege and Black Marmor stone on the floor, intricate carved pattern on the counter cladding and suspended glass crystals from the lighting trough blending in traces of traditional cues for the subtle break to clean simplicity and other wise contemporary design of the store. The final effect is breath taking elegance and grandeur.

The building in which the store is located, has been designed with glass and steel landscape surroundings and is a perfect foil to the path breaking interiors.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pradeep Bhandari, Group President and Wholetime Director, Raymond Ltd. said, "The Raymond flagship store aims to offer a unique and international shopping experience to our customers. The store with its unique design combined with offerings from all our brands will delight shoppers."

The Raymond flagship store will offer customers the complete range of Raymond suiting and shirting fabric, custom tailoring and men's apparel and accessories from Manzoni, Park Avenue, ColorPlus and Parx.

The design concept of the store is surrounded by the apparel brands as well as the custom tailoring services (first floor). The various interpretations of the topics lend each brand simultaneously, with their unique individual statements. The dynamics of the brand is present in the catwalk made of dark marble and the black ceiling, thereby effectively pulling the customer into the depths of the space. This effect is accentuated by a black mirror situated at the end of the room. Based on the structure of the room, natural niches are formed in which the brands are presented. Back panels and central furniture are so flexible, that quick and uncomplicated changes offer endless new stimulation for the customer.

Mr. Aniruddha Deshmukh, President, Raymond Retail, said "Raymond has been a pioneer in organized retail providing excellent service, great quality and innovative merchandise through its chain of over 326 retail outlets in India and overseas. With the inauguration of this largest store, we are providing our patrons the best of brands, all under one roof in an international ambience."