The Hindu Business Line : Shoppers' Stop plans big rollout across formats

Going by the catchline `Size does matter in retail', Shoppers' Stop Ltd is working on a massive rollout plan to open about 310 outlets (including shop-in-shops) across formats.

The company is also trying to evolve newer formats such as `net shopping' and `home delivery'.

The Group plans to extend the number of Shoppers' Stop departmental stores from 19 to 48 in about three year's time; its MAC cosmetics stores from one to three; and its Home Stop stores from two to five during the same period.

Mothercare, the `mom `n' child' format, will be extended from 7 shops to 40 (20 single brand stores and 20 shop-in-shop stores). Crossword, the bookstore format, would be increased from 17 outlets to about 100 by 2010.

The Food and Beverages (F&B) segment of the retailer will have about 100 outlets under Café Brio and Desi Cafe brands. In the value-retailing segment, the group expects to have 14 more Hypercity megastores in three years. The group opened its first Hypercity in May 2006.

"Multiplicity of offers is key to every retailer," said Mr Govind Shrikhande, Customer Care Associate and COO, Shoppers' Stop. "The product portfolio has to be increased to keep up with competition. Changing consumer demand makes retail outlets all the more vital. We will be present in about 30 Indian cities (from 10 currently) by 2010.''

`Net shopping' and `home delivery' will be evolved as future formats to tide over competition, said Mr Shrikhande. The group has also forayed into airport retailing recently.

The retailer is working towards a joint venture with the Swiss-based Nuance Group for entering the Indian airport retail market. The joint venture company plans to offer a comprehensive range of services from operating master concessions to distribution for international brands.

Focus on airports

"Airport retailing is an upcoming format in the Indian retail scene. This segment is catching up thanks to a plethora of airport privatisation initiatives in the country. In airports, our focus will be on `gilt shopping' (shopping for gifts and goodies) and `personal shopping'. We will also stock liquor and tobacco once we get permission from the concerned authorities,'' said Mr Shrikhande.