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French luggage-maker Delsey plans to ramp up its presence in India . The company will double its standalone stores to 36 by the end of this year.
Delsey has 152 points-of-sale that include standalone stores and shop-in-shop formats. Three of the stores are company-owned.
According to Guenther Trieb, Group CEO, Delsey, the focus will be on strengthening its position in the country. Currently, India accounts for less than one per cent of its global topline.
“We hope to grow our India-share to 10 per cent in another five-year period. India and China are the emerging markets that we need to focus on,” Trieb said. He, however, did not reveal investment figures (Delsey is a privately held company).
The thrust, Trieb said, would also be on promoting the brand through in-mall events and activities. Promotions through television commercials are not an immediate priority, he added.
Delsey had entered the Indian market in early 2000 through a joint venture with VIP. Delsey products were being stocked at VIP outlets. In 2010, the joint-venture was terminated. In 2011, Delsey entered into a distribution tie-up with Kolkata-based Beauty Concepts Pvt Ltd.
Delsey products, which are priced between Rs 8,000 and Rs 35,000 (for cabin luggage), competes with Samsonite and American Tourister in the premium segment.
Evaluating prospects
Meanwhile, Anil Verma, Delsey India COO, pointed out the company was evaluating the possibility of having its own manufacturing base in India. He, however, categorically mentioned that plans have not yet been finalised.
Currently, Delsey products in India are obtained from its manufacturing units in China.
“India is an important country for us. We are just studying the prospects of a manufacturing base here,” he said.
According to Verma, Delsey’s manufacturing base would be for global supplies.
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