The Hindu Business Line : Godrej gives a new look to furniture retail outlets

Mr B.N. Doongaji (left), Vice-President and Business head, Retailing Division, Godrej and Boyce, and Mr P.D. Lam, Executive Director and President, at a new-look Lifespace store in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Mohammed Yousuf

Hyderabad , Sept. 13

THE retailing division of Godrej & Boyce is on a revamp mode. The division, which recently launched the Godrej Lifespace brand to showcase its furniture products in a `contemporary' ambience, plansto have at least 52 such outlets in two years.

The company has roped in Mr Manu Mansheet, a Delhi-based `Visual Merchandiser' to redo its outlets.

Mr B.N. Doongaji, Vice-President and Business Head of Retailing Division, said the idea was to breathe life into spaces. "Homes or offices are not made of just bare walls. We intend to make them living entities by breathing life into them," he said.

Addressing a press conference after the inauguration of a new-look Lifespace outlet at Abid's here on Tuesday, he said the outlet offered "rich, colourful ambience".

The division recorded a turnover of Rs 63 crore from 38 Lifespace showrooms last year. "We target to achieve Rs 100 crore by the end of 2007-08.

The division had plans to introduce home improvement products. "We also plan to launch products in the health and hygiene segments," Mr Doongaji informed.

Mr P.D. Lam, Executive Director and President of Godrej & Boyce, said the company needed to be contemporary and appeal to the youth.

The company always believed that international quality and presence was important for growth. "We have manufacturing bases in Oman, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia," he said.

"The world is waiting for good Indian products."

On cheaper Chinese furniture available in Indian markets, he said the company sold not just products. "We offer total solutions. We service our products," he pointed out.

Godrej's furniture business, which recorded a turnover of Rs 425 crore last year, was expected to reach Rs 600 crore this year.

The company aimed at a figure of Rs 1,500 crore by 2010 in this segment.

Stating that Hyderabad was the second most important market for the company, he said the city was also on the company's radar as a good manufacturing centre.

If it were to change its Mumbai facility (where it witnessed higher wages and Octroi), Hyderabad could be an option for the company.

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