Some useful Retail India news for today

Wipro FMCG arm to focus on wellness
HYDERABAD: In a bid to cash in on the fast-growing wellness segment, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, the FMCG arm of Wipro Ltd, is planning to roll out a slew of products. As part of this plan, the company has introduced a low-calorie sugar substitute, Sweet n Healthy, and is perhaps the first FMCG company to enter this health product segment. Besides, the nationwide launch of its honey brand, Sanjeevani, is expected soon. The company is looking at leveraging its strong distribution network for promoting Sweet n Healthy. “Other products in this segment are marketed by pharma companies and they are relying on chemists’ shops to promote their products under OTC category. Being an FMCG company, we cover over six lakh shops directly, of which majority are regular shops. This will help increase our reach and penetration,” said Wipro Consumer Care general manager(business development) Nagendra Arya, at a press conference.
Bogusky to head Titanium Lions jury at Cannes
MUMBAI: Alex Bogusky, chief creative officer of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, will head the Titanium & Integrated Lions jury at the 54th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. The jury will pick the best integrated campaigns that use three or more different media. Besides, it will honour breakthrough ideas and work that challenge current ways of advertising and communication. Announcing the names of the jury members, the organisers said the winners will be announced at Cannes on June 23.
Pantaloon Fresh to add 25 stores in two years
CHENNAI: After fresh fruits and vegetables, it is fresh fashion. Pantaloon’s Fresh Fashions plans to add at least 25 stores in Tamil Nadu in the next one to two years targeting the youth and their aspiration for high fashion. “Pantaloons Fresh Fashion stands out as a fashion trendsetter. The ‘fresh look, feel and attitude’ offers trendy and hip collections that are in sync with the hopes and aspirations of the discerning customers,” Pantaloon Retail Indian head south zone Rohit Malhotra told newspersons after inaugurating its sixth store in south India. He said the company will invest close to Rs 2.5 crore each in setting 25 stores across the state. On changing its positioning from a family-oriented store to a fashion store, he said Pantaloon stores are being relaunched on the `youth’ platform. It has also added a Bollywood component to its positioning by roping in Bipasha Basu and Zayed Khan.
Beyond Luxury chalks out expansion plans
NEW DELHI: Luxury watch retailer Beyond Luxury has chalked out plans to expand its presence within the country. Beyond Luxury would be investing close to Rs 50 crore to set up 10 multi-brand boutiques, primarily in metros, by 2008-end. At present Beyond Luxury has two multi-brand outlets operational in Delhi and Chennai. Beyond Luxury chief executive officer Arun Malhotra, said, “We are looking forward to open five more stores in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata by the end of this year. We are in talks with several financial institutions to raise funds for expansion.”
Coca-Cola unveils Minute Maid in Bangalore
BANGALORE: Coca-Cola India announced the launch of Minute Maid, a leading international juice drink brand, in Bangalore. Launched in Minute Maid Pulpy Orange avatar, the drink is available in two PET pack sizes — an on-the-go 400ml pack and a 1-litre pack priced at Rs 25 and Rs 60 respectively. According to Milan Sethi, vice president, operations, Coca-Cola India, the company plans to introduce different flavours from the Minute Maid stable in the coming months.
Ulysse Nardin to open two boutiques in India
NEW DELHI: Swiss watch-maker Ulysse Nardin would open two exclusive boutiques in India by 2007 end. As part of its expansion strategy, the company is also targeting presence in 10 multi-brand outlets during the same period. The first two exclusive outlets would be set up in Mumbai and Kolkata with an investment of Rs 5 crore each. “Currently, the brand is available at select stores, primarily in metros. Next year, we would establish the brand in tier-II cities such as Pune, Jaipur and Chandigarh,” said Rolf Schnyder president Ulysse Nardin.
HUL to grow coffee business under Bru brand
KOLKATA: Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) plans to aggressively grow its domestic coffee business that operates under the Bru brand banner. Even as the company is firming up plans to come out with new marketing initiatives for the domestic turf, it has decided against enhancing presence in the global coffee market. Mr Krishnan Sundaram, HUL’s marketing manager (Bru), said: “Bru has been at the forefront of most innovations in the instant coffee category, be it in coffee-chicory blends, refill packaging, vending operations, low-unit-price packs or more recently, the launch of Bru Cappuccino. Coming months will see a lot of activities in the domestic market.” As part of its aggressive growth plans, the company has decided to focus on non-South cities and metros.

courtesy:economictimes

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