Date:31/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/31/stories/2005033102160400.htm

Back Womenswear brand Natalia to expand retail network

Sravanthi Challapalli

Chennai , March 30

WOMENSWEAR brand Natalia has big expansion plans for the year. The Chennai-based brand hopes to open exclusive stores in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Goa. It also plans to increase its presence in multi-brand outlets in other cities.

Speaking to Business Line, Ms Veena Jaganath, Brand Manager, Natalia, said the company's focus would be on Tier II cities as the level of brand acceptance is high in these cities. Some such cities that Natalia is present in include Amritsar, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Lucknow and Pune.

Natalia has had to do a re-think on its offerings as pure Western womenswear has still not gained mass acceptance, said Ms Jaganath. Consequently, the bulk of its range now comprises Western clothes with Indian influences, which mean `kurti'-type tops, sequins and Indian prints and fabrics, to name a few.

Natalia doesn't want to be seen as a Westernwear brand as the market is in the transition stage, but it's a complete womenswear brand, she said. The crossover into Western wear will take about two years, according to her. Natalia is launching a plus-size range in two weeks at its exclusive outlets. It is also getting into accessories including footwear, jewellery and bags.