S Kumar's to launch 3 intl brands

Textiles and apparel company S. Kumar's Nationwide (SKNL) will itroduce three international brands - Escada, Dunhill and Stephan Brothers - in India.

Aloke Banarjee, chief executive officer of SKNL's Total Home Expressions division, said the company will open exclusive, self-owned stores for the international brands. "The stores will be opened initially in the metros including Mumbai and Delhi," Banarjee said.

While Dunhill is a luxury menswear brand, Escada is a major women's fashion wear and accessories brand. SKNL is also planning to bring in another international brand, Banerjee said, without disclosing the details.

The initiatives are being planned under Brand House Retail, a subsidiary of SKNL, that will focus on selling branded wear. Banarjee said the company will spend close to Rs 700 crore over the next four years time to create the network.

SKNL recently launched Carmichael House home textiles store in Pune. The new chain of stores will offer luxury products in the bed and bath linen range as well as kitchen and table linen segment. "The company will project its products on the basis on value-for-money as we will offer the best quality at a particular price point," Banarjee said.

Banerjee said the company plans to open 100 Carmichael House outlets in 40 cities in a 100-day spell. "We have opened 18 locations and finalised 64 locations for Carmichael House," Banerjee said adding there will be five new outlets in Pune by the end of the 100-day period.

The company has signed model and actress Sushmita Sen for 18 months to participate in the promotion programmes as brand ambassador for Carmichael House, he said.