Date:26/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/03/26/stories/2004032601870600.htm

Back LVMH plans launch of more luxury watches

Our Bureau

Yana Gupta (centre), Miss Dior for India flanked by models Divya (right) and Medha at the launch of Dior Girly watches in Chennai on Thursday — Bijoy Ghosh

Chennai , March 25

SWISS watchmaker LVMH Watches and Jewellery is all set to spread its wings in India this year, by launching two more of its international luxury watch brands, Fendi and Zenith.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Ravi Thakran, Regional Managing Director, LVMH Watches Asia-Pacific, said that while Fendi would be launched in India in April, Zenith is scheduled to hit the market later during the year. "By launching these watches we want to target the niche masses in India, where we find a clear demand for luxury watches."

Taking forward its goal to bring in all the latest international launches to India simultaneously, the company on Thursday launched Christian Dior's International Spring-2004 range of the Girly Dior watches for women in Chennai.

These watches come in shades of pink and white, which is the latest fashion rage across the world. "Most watch companies do take inspiration from fashion trends, but launch their watches at least six months after the trend has been announced. We, at LVMH create our watches the moment the fashion trend is created, so that women who want latest clothes and shoes also get the latest watch to go with their attire. Girly Dior is in sync with the latest international colours, which is pink and white," said Mr Thakran.

Talking about the retail strategy, he said that the company is choosy about its retail partners. "Since ours is a luxury brand which caters to a niche segment, we ensure that our brands are retailed only at high-profile multi-brand outlets. In Chennai, for instance, our brands are only available at Helvetica."

Dior watches are available at 31 retail outlets across 13 cities. Mr Thakran hoped that the distribution of these watches would reach 18 cities and 50 retail points by the end of this year.

He said that the company has already sold 2,000 Dior watches in India since its launch in November 2002, and hoped that by 2006 it would be able to sell over 10,000 watches per year.