India’s leading textile manufacturing company Donear Industries’ value retail chain D’Cot plans to take its number of outlets to 250 from existing 142 by 2009-end. Talking to IndiaRetailing, Sapan Surekha, president, D’Cot disclosed that the company will open 22 more stores by the end of April 2009. The company is venturing and expanding its network through franchising and company owned outlets, he added.
Discussing about the size and investment of the stores, Surekha said, “The average sizes of D’Cot store vary from 600-700 square feet. We invest an average of 1.5 million on each store of D’Cot.”
Further the retail chain, having strong presence in western and northern India, plans to make its maiden foray into south India. “Last month we set up our office in Bengaluru and very soon we will launch our outlets in the region,” added Surekha.
One and a half year ago, Donear Industries announced its planned foray into organised retailing by the name of D’Cot Stylewear in an attempt to keep fabric and retail garmenting businesses as separate entities.
Meanwhile, D’Cot stores, which currently deal in men’s apparel and accessories retail, plan to stick to their existing portfolio. However, Surekha informed that the company may enter into other segments including women’s apparel and kidswear, but such plans are in the nascent phase only.
Elaborating about the potential markets for D’Cot, Surekha commented, “We are focusing on tier-I and II cities. Our chain offers only our private label under the D’Cot brand marketed through our exclusive brand outlets (EBOs).”
— Shailesh Shah
