Dabur aims Rs 1,000 cr from lifestyle retail business

Dabur India is targeting a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore by 2010 from H&B Stores, its new beauty and lifestyle subsidiary.

H&B's lifestyle retail arm, which will operate under the brand name 'new-u', marks the entry of Dabur into modern retail.

The first new-u retail outlet is scheduled to open in January next year in Delhi and later expand to other major cities across India.

"We plan to open six new-u outlets in the NCR region by the financial year-end. We will then swiftly expand to other markets," said Peter Baker, CEO, H&B Stores. "We will add another 50 stores in 2008-09, and take the number to 160 by 2009-10."

The company would be investing about Rs 140 crore for streamlining its operations and establish itself in the modern retail market with a chain of stores under the health and beauty format by 2010.

"We will offer products at a price 20-25 per cent cheaper than the maximum retail price (MRP)," Baker said.

The stores will have around 20,000 products in the colour cosmetics, fragrances, skin & personal care, baby & family care, fashion accessories categories along with general merchandise, ayurvedic products and pharmaceuticals.

The stores will also make available several international cosmetics and personal care brands.

"We wish to provide our consumers an international quality store environment and a product range incorporating a global look and feel," said Graeme Fraser, head of sourcing, buying & merchandising.

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BIG ON BEAUTY

The lifestyle retail section will operate under the brand name of 'new-u' and marks the entry of Dabur into modern retail

The company would be investing about Rs 140 crore for streamlining its operations

Dabur would offer products at a price which is 20-25 per cent cheaper than the Maximum Retail Price

The stores will have around 20,000 products in different categories including colour cosmetics, fragrances