Kewal Kiran Clothing, manufacturers of the denim brand Killer, plans to tie up with an international watch brand and is exploring the possibility of joint ventures in the apparel segments. | |
| Company executives told Business Standard that plans to explore tie-ups is in line with expanding its accessory franchise by introducing watches and fragrances in the Indian market. But they refused to give further details. |
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| Analysts say this will also reduce the overdependence on the Killer Brand, which contributes to more than 50 per cent of the company's revenue. |
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| The company is also extending its menswear brands, Killer and Easies, to the ladies wear segment and is also eyeing the kids wear segment for expanding its presence. |
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| Nikesh Jain, chief financial officer, said, "The company is expanding the product portfolio and has aggressive retail plans to tap the booming branded apparel and retail industry." |
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| He added, "The width and the depth of the market is changing with consumers increasingly preferring branded lifestyle products. It is necessary to offer a wider product range in order to influence and satisfy the consumer's variable demands," said Jain. |
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| The company expects accessories to contribute about 5-10 per cent to the turnover. |
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| The company has four menswear brands Killer, Easies, Lawman and Integriti and plans to introduce ladies wear under Killer and Easies. |
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| Kewal Kiran has 41 operational K-Lounge outlets and intends to open 140 mid and large size retail outlets by next year. |
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| "The company has planned aggressive retail plans with a mix of mid and large size flagship stores. The mid-size stores will display the four parent brands along with non-competing lifestyle products and yet to be launched in-house brands," said Bela Gupta, CEO, retail. The company is investing Rs 12 crore to scale up the manufacturing capacities to 4 million from current 2 million pieces by March 2008. Killler, Kewal Kiran's flagship denim brand, contributes about 50 per cent of the revenues, while Integriti is pegged to drive volume growth. |
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