The Hindu Business Line : Samsonite to sell its footwear in India

Mumbai, July 31 Samsonite India will sell its footwear in the country through its stores. After its launch in Italy, the company has decided to take these products to India and Korea. Dr Ramesh Tainwala, President, Samsonite South Asia, said: “We feel there is a lacunae in the Indian market for formal travel shoes. It is the international sports shoe brands which have currently developed the Indian footwear market.” Samsonite expects to compete with the retailer-based Indian brands in the market. “Today the market is controlled by retail brands such as Regal and Metro shoes. There is a vacuum in the space for international footwear brands although Geox and Bally have entered India.” Priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000, the unisex range of footwear has been designed by Italian designer Alberto Bontioni. It will be partly made in India through a licensing arrangement with a third party manufacturer. Samsonite expects footwear sales in India to contribute between Rs 200 and Rs 250 crore in the next three years. After India and Korea, Samsonite expects to take its footwear to West Asia .

In the Rs 3,000-crore luggage industry, Samsonite is clocking a growth rate of 55 per cent. Mr Tainwala said: “Samsonite in India has been growing ahead of China at 55 per cent.” Though the company re-positioned itself as a luxury brand with the launch of its super premium Black Label in the country, it is present in the mid-and upper-end of the market with Samsonite and American Tourister. While American Tourister is growing at a rate of 75 per cent, Samsonite as a brand is seeing a growth rate of 15-18 per cent.

The Rs 650-crore Samsonite India also plans to launch its licensee brands Timberland and Lacoste (accessories) later this year.