Footwear and apparel player Woodland is looking to strengthen its presence in overseas markets, including the UAE and Russia where it has set up warehouses, by opening exclusive stores.
The company expects contribution of exports to its total turnover to 25 per cent by next year, up from 15 per cent currently, with the expansion in overseas markets.
"The demand for the outdoor category is the same in Russia and the Middle East as it is in India. We will look to gradually expand our presence," Woodland Managing Director Harkirat Singh told PTI.
He said the company has recently opened office and a warehouse in Moscow as it has done in Dubai. In Russia, the company has been utilising the online channel a lot to expand. While in the UAE, it has relied on distributors.
"We have been selling through distributors in these markets but now we want to grow the brand by ourselves there," Singh added.
Stating the company is looking to open its exclusive store both in Dubai and Moscow, he said, "The idea is to gradually open exclusive stores, at least one by next year."
Depending on the response to the stores, Singh said, the company can think of opening up to 10 such stores over a period of time.
Through the expansion in overseas markets, Woodland, which also has presence in Hong Kong, is looking at increased contribution from exports.
"The current contribution of exports to the total turnover is around 15 per cent. We want it to be 25 per cent by next year," he said, adding the company's turnover this year is around Rs 1,200 crore.
Singh added the company is looking at using its Dubai warehouse as a hub for supplying to other Middle Eastern and North African countries.
