S Kumars sets up retail operations arm

S Kumars Nationwide (SKNL) has set up a wholly-owned subsidiary, Brand House (BHL), to anchor itself in the booming retail market. BHL will take care of the retail agenda of the Rs 855-crore group.

According to SKNL managing director Nitin Kasliwal, the company plans to invest Rs 90 crore in two years. As per the blueprint, apart from setting up Reid & Taylor stores, it intends to bring in foreign premium to super luxury brands by setting up exclusive stores for them across the country.

Market sources said the company was in advanced stage of discussion with DKNY, Dolce Gabanna, Dunhill and Hackett. However, Kasliwal declined to divulge names and said KSA Technopak was in talks with 18 short-listed brands on their behalf.

BHL intends to open about 100-120 exclusive stores dedicated to each foreign brand in two years. It will follow the Arvind strategy which has brought in Tommy Hilfiger and will do what Madura Garments has done for Esprit in India. BHL also intends to set up 250 exclusive stores of which 120 will be company owned and the rest by franchisees.

"This makes sense as we have Reid & Taylor, S Kumars, Carmichael House and Tamarind brands in our portfolio and hope to launch 12 more of our brands in four years," said Kasliwal.

S Kumars will relaunch its mid-segment ready to wear brand, Tamarind, with a revamped wardrobe in early 2006. Tamarind was launched in 2001 and Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan was named its brand ambassador.

The agenda of bringing foreign brands by getting into a marketing tie-up will help as the company eventually hopes to be the supplier of fabrics to these brands "� the way it has become the outsourcing hub for Reid & Taylor, Scotland.

According to the Kasliwal, BHL is eyeing a sales turnover of Rs 250-275 crore from its collective activities once the rollout is completed.