By Sreekumar Raghavan
BANGALORE: Rosebys, UK’s leading home décor retailer, is all set to launch their operations in India from October 14th with their first outlet in Calcutta. This will be followed by more outlets in Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Karnataka.
Aloke Banerjee, CEO of Rosebys Interiors India Ltd told Commodity Online on the sidelines of FRO2008, a leading franchising and retail event, that Rosebys which was acquired by Gujarat based GHCL in 2006 will henceforth be following the franchising route for expansion as opposed to having its own outlets as was the practice with its 320 odd outlets in England. Rosebys would also start newer outlets in England based on the Franchising model.
Among the newer markets identified for expansion include Poland, Romania and Vietnam. Commenting on the agitation against large retail malls in different parts of the country, Aloke Banerjee said that retail franchising was the perfect answer to such allegations of small retail being threatened by invasion of corporates into the sector.
“Through franchising we are providing an option for the local entrepreneur in different cities and towns to be part of the retail boom that is taking place in the country. It is a most democratic arrangement. The franchisee has the local market intelligence and visibility while we have the brand to support him,” Aloke Banerjee said.
He said that franchising was the model to follow in future and there needs to be no apprehensions on this count. In some instances, franchising model might have failed due to lacking of training on the part of the franchisee and adequate support from the branded companies.
Regarding the USP of Rosebys, Aloke Banerjee said that “Our stores provide a rich experience for the shopper and not just what you call a situation where we sell just towels and bedsheets as in a kirana store.” Rosebys sells an assortmet of bed linens, curtains, furnishing, kids wear and related home decor products.
