Date:16/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/16/stories/2006051601030500.htm

Back Koutons opens Hyderabad outlet

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, May 15

Koutons, a Delhi-based garment company with a network of 225 outlets, has entered South India by opening a franchisee here. In the next few weeks, the company would open outlets in Bangalore, Chennai, and other Southern cities.

"We are planning to increase the number of outlets to 400 by the year end. In the next few years, the number would cross 1,000," said Mr H.S. Sidhu, Executive Vice-President. Speaking to newspersons, he said that the company targeted to achieve a turnover of Rs 500 crore during 2006-07 against Rs 168 crore last year.

The company had earmarked Rs 150 crore for expansion plans. He said that doubling of outlets would help the company achieve the target. On the company's retail strategy, he said that Koutons believed in reaching out to the consumer directly, avoiding barriers like wholesale distributors and multi-brand outlets.