SP Apparels Limited, a Coimbatore-based fully integrated garment exporter and retailer, is all set to relaunch its womenswear brand Natalia. The company plans to have seven exclusive outlets across the country by March 2008. SP Apparels bought the Natalia brand from the Chennai-based SM Apparels for an undisclosed amount in April 2007.
“We plan a complete revamp of product range under the brand Natalia, and will open seven exclusive brand outlets across the country in this fiscal,” Sanjay Chandrasekhar, VP, retail operations, SP Apparels, told Indiaretailing.
The company will invest approximately Rs 5-7 crore for Natalia’s retail expansion. “We expect revenue to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore by next fiscal from Natalia brand, and for later, we are targeting exponential increase in revenue,” Chandrasekhar added. It is learnt that the company is also looking for brand extensions and additions for Natalia.
According to industry sources, the company is in advance talks to buy a leading kidswear brand. Enquired about the plans to buy new brands, Chandrasekhar commented: “I won’t deny that, we are on the lookout for a kidswear brand and we hope to launch a kidswear brand by early 2008.”
The Rs 265-crore SP Apparels forayed into the retail business last year by acquiring the menswear brand Crocodile. Talking about Crocodile’s expansion plans, Chandrasekhar informed: “SP Apparels is all set to expand its Crocodile footprint by adding eight company-owned stores in this fiscal – two in Bangalore and one each in Hyderabad, Kochi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem and New Delhi. We are expecting a 40 per cent increase in Crocodile’s revenue this fiscal.”
The company is looking for franchisee routes for opening outlets, especially in North and East. “Majority of our stores are company-owned, but we are considering franchisees to tap markets in North and East. Talks are proceeding and we may finalise it soon,” Chandrasekhar said.
– Vishnu Rageev R, Bangalore Bureau
