Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Jul 29, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Jul 29, 2005 |
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Marketing
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Strategy Witco eyes student travel segment Our Bureau
Chennai , July 28 THE Chennai-based luggage store chain Witco is targeting the student travel segment ahead of a new academic year, which starts September in most foreign universities. For the second year in succession, Witco is featuring luggage and travel accessories from brands such as Samsonite, VIP, Delsey, American Tourister and Giordano that could be handy for student travellers, says Mr V.P. Harris, Managing Director of Witco. The student travel segment, which has bounced back in the last few years after plunging post-9/11, accounts for nearly a third of the large-size luggage sales in July and August. Witco provides information on the weight-to-volume ratio of each product (the less the weight of a suitcase and more its volume, the better), as also data about luggage restrictions at different airliners, in what Mr Harris believes is a move from selling a product to selling a service. The retailer also provides "smart travel tips" to students through a manual. One of the newest features is the in-built TSA lock, available in select Samsonite models. The US customs and immigration authorities (the Transportation Security Administration or TSA) are empowered to break open any suspicious baggage for inspection. But they needn't break open the baggage if it has a TSA lock, as the authorities themselves have a key to open it. Witco, managed by Mr Harris and his brother, is now exclusively into the travel business segment, having exited kids apparel retailing. It has 18 stores in three formats: large stores, which are between 6,000 and 7,000 sq ft in area; multi-brand outlets that are around 2,000 sq ft; and single-brand outlets, which are still smaller.
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