Turtle plans retail push in South

Kolkata-based Turtle Ltd, which produces multiple menswear brands, intends to expand its retail network in South India over the coming year by setting up exclusive outlets in the state capitals and secondary cities.

At present, the company sells its brands "" Turtle and London Bridge "" through seven exclusive outlets and all the big retail format stores like Shoppers Stop, Globus and Brand Factory in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

It plans to set up more exclusive outlets "" Turtle World "" in all the four southern state capitals, Coimbatore, Hubli, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kochi for an investment of close to Rs 1.7 crore.

"South India is our second biggest market after east. We have 31 exclusive outlets across the country at present. We intend to increase the number of exclusive outlets to 100 by 2008-09, including 25 in South India," Turtle's Marketing Head L Sridhar said.

"The large format stores are planning new stores in South India. This will ensure further reach to our customers. We are seeing significant sales in South India. Besides, the availability of real estate is better in south when compared to north or west," he added.

Turtle recently forayed into West Asia where it has set up an exclusive outlet in Dubai.

The company has roped in an Italian designer to increase its product portfolio. It also operates a design studio in Kolkata. It products include shirts, t-shirts, trousers and accessories. The price ranges from Rs 395 to Rs 1,900. The company plans to launch new products such as suits, jackets and denims in the coming days.

Last year, the company's turnover from retail operations was Rs 45 crore. This year, it is expected to touch the Rs 60 crore mark.

Turtle produces shirts at its Howrah factory which has an installed capacity of 20,000 pieces per day. The trousers are procured from a garment manufacturer in Bangalore. The company is in the process of ramping up its production.