Delhi to host first brand licensing conference in India

Licensing experts of the world, including Tommy Hilfiger's CEO Shailesh Chaturvedi, LIMA Managing Director Kelvyn Gardner, would participate in a two-day conference starting from November 29 in New Delhi to explore the potential of the licensing industry in India.

The Brand Licensing India Conference 2008, which is being organised by Franchise India Holdings Ltd and supported by International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA), would focus on growth of the licensing industry in the country. "The conference will be a great platform for Indian companies to learn from Global industry professionals, to leverage best practices and knowledge in the Indian licensing industry," Franchise India Holdings President Gaurav Marya said.

The emergence of modern and more organised retail in India, estimated at USD 200 billion, has been projected to grow at five percent per annum and has set the pace for new collaborations between International licensing companies and Indian business houses. Licensing industry worldwide is estimated at USD 187 billion. Retail sales of licensed merchandise in the US and Canada in 2007 reached USD 71.25 billion and that in Western Europe has been estimated to be worth in excess of USD 26 billion.

Source: zeenews

mjunction coming up with 'straightline'

mjunction, a 50:50 e-commerce joint venture of steel majors Tata Steel and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), which was till now in the online coal and steel sales and purchase space will enter the online retail business-to-consumer (B2C) segment by April 2009.

Majority of its customers come from the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) segment. The retail business will be under the brand name "straightline" and would be offering a lot of products such as apparel, electronic items, white goods, furniture etc, everything except rail and air tickets as several players are already in that space. Under the business, mjunction plans to offer more than 100 retail products including music, gaming, books etc over a period of time.

The company is tying up with other firms for their services to make its offerings comprehensive. The main selling point of ‘straightline’ will be genuine branded products and lower prices providing end-to-end solutions.

mjunction is the leader in the Rs 20,000-crore online business-to-business market with an over 50% share. Their share is close to Rs 10,400 crore and are looking to touch Rs 15,000 crore this fiscal.

Source: DNA

Big retail chains would fail: Uttar Pradesh Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal

As Indian Retailers trying their best to keep their sales register ticking in the times of global Economic Slowdown, the Uttar Pradesh Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal comments that “India is a tropical country where per capital income is low. The large retail formats, which are successful in the US, Canada and Europe are bound to fail here.”

Mr.Kanchal, the president of the organisation said that establishment expenses of big retailers amount to almost 20% while it is just 4-5% for small retailers which is going to create trouble for big retail chains in the times to come.

Also, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce which was analysing the impact of big malls on small retailers and is expected to submit its report to the central government soon is trying to study the Malaysian and Polish legislations like Shopping Mall Regulation Act which aims to strike a balance between the  small and large retailers.

As retailers have started facing the heat of economic slump, do you agree with the statement that "Big Retail Chains would fail in coming future"?

Luxottica tied up with DLF to open sunglass stores in India

Luxottica, the Italian eyewear brand dealing in the design, manufacturing and distribution of premium fashion and luxury eyewear is all set to enter the Indian market. It has planned to open 100 Sunglass Hut Stores through a franchising agreement with DLF group. The stores will be opened in select high-end malls and premium locations across the country.

The whole story can be read at marketwatch