Ashima to double retail presence

Ahmedabad-based cotton fabric manufacturer, Ashima Group is planning to double the presence of its menswear readymade garment brand, 'Frank Jefferson', in the country. Through its group company, Atrium Exports Pvt. Ltd., Ashima intends to set up another 15 stores across the country in financial year 2008-09.

Currently, the group runs over 15 stores of Frank Jefferson and would be investing close to Rs 5 crore to double the number, said Nitin Parekh, executive director of Ashima Limited. Frank Jefferson brand comprises shirts, trousers, denims, T-shirts, and sweaters, among other things. The group, through Atrium Exports, runs both company-owned and franchisee showrooms in cities like Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pune, Secunderabad and Surat.

While the company has been reeling under high input costs and low margins in fabric manufacturing, officials say the only area of consolidation seems to be in garmenting. "The only feasible margins available are in garmenting and retailing which is why we are doubling our retail presence. While we manufacture enough garments for the expansion, if needed we can go for garment manufacturing expasion as well," said Parekh.

In financial year 2007-08, Ashima Ltd, the group's flagship company pegged a turnover of around Rs 225 crore.