The Hindu Business Line : Ferns `N' Petals to open <I>chaat</I> outlets

FERNS `N' Petals (FNP), the branded domestic chain of retail flower shops, is poised to foray into the Indian street food market. It is planning to open chaat outlets across the country.

"We would be opening six chaat outlets to start with in the Capital," Mr Pawan Gadia, Vice-President FNP Group, said. He was speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing TiEcon India 2005. The six outlets would be served by a centralised kitchen, he added. To tap the growing market, the snack offerings would be in a lower price range Rs 20 to Rs 40. The group will be ploughing in around Rs 2 crore in this business. The outlets could be standalone ones or located in malls. The company foresees tremendous growth potential in the segment and hopes to add 20 outlets by next year.

FNP is also looking at setting up a school that would impart training and retailing etiquette for the flower business. "We would be setting up an academy in Delhi that would teach and coach students regarding the nuances on working in our stores. It would teach them how to arrange flowers and bouquets and adhere to customer demands," Mr Gadia said. The company is investing Rs 50 lakh in the training school. "There is a dearth of a trained workforce in the industry and this is one of the most important challenges that we are facing today, particularly when we are looking to expand," he said.

High on diversification and innovation programmes, the company is also in talks with a media group to expand its flower business through the m-commerce route. Mr Gadia said the company has already signed an agreement with a media house. He however, declined to divulge more details. He said that the group would be coming out with a short code, which could be entered on mobile phone handsets to order flowers and other accessories.

FNP has registered a 50 per cent year-on-year growth and is planning to expand its network of 45 shops to 100 by the next fiscal.