News: European fashion cos to launch retail chain in India

(PTI 17/11/2006) Mumbai - Manufacturers and exporters of high fashion garments, Orient Craft Brands Pvt Ltd and European S Oliver on Thursday announced their plan to launch a retail chain of fashion and lifestyle products in India under the name `S Oliver'. By the end of five years Orient Craft Brands targets at setting up around 60 to 80 points of sale across all formats and sizes and expects a turnover of euro 40 million per annum, a release said here. S Oliver has offered an exclusive licensing and distribution rights for various product lines and it would establish a retail stores network across all the metros and other major cities over a period of next five years. These stores would offer premium European fashion and lifestyle products such as fashion clothing, classic wear, perfumes, shoes, accessories etc, for both men and women, it said. "The first phase would include setting up management and sourcing office, flagship stores in the National Capital Region (NCR) and employ about 40 specialized staff," the release said. The following years would see expansion in a phased manner from one region to the other and would include stores in malls and high streets. Currently, the S Oliver group markets its products through its over 500 stores, 1,500 shop-in-shops and several thousand wholesale clients, internationally.