Now, smell your zodiac signs through astrological perfumes

Zodiac signs are no more to be just read in your daily newspapers or worn as part of imitation jewellery.

Thanks to a Rajkot-based firm, these 12 sun signs can now be smelt too. In another first from Rajkot, Ban Labs Limited (Ban), an ayurvedic healthcare and cosmetics firm, is launching its own brand of perfume titled 'Signature' based on Zodiac signs.

While Ban is already present in ayurvedic health care and cosmetic products under the brand name of 'Sesa', this would be the company's first foray into perfumes. Needless to say, the 'Signature' brand of perfumes will come in 12 different flavours based on each of the 12 signs.

"Day-by-day we see people getting hooked on to astrology and zodiac signs. So we decided to give a twist to astrology and create something new. What's more, the Indian astrology science does mention in detail about smells associated with zodiac signs. Hence, we consulted several astrologers and did a detailed research work on perfume based on zodiac signs. We will be the first such company to launch such perfumes," said Maulesh Ukani, managing director, Ban Labs.

While the product is still in advanced research phase, Ban Labs is aiming to launch the brand in next 2-3 months.

As per Ukani, the initial stages of the brand launch would entail an investment of Rs 3-4 crore, which will be gradually increased to Rs 10 crore. To begin with, the brand will be launched in India and based on the company's retail experience of the 'Signature' brand in the country, the product will be introduced in overseas market as well.

Even as the company is yet to work out a detailed retail plan for the brand launch, Ban labs is also planning to launch 20 new products of cosmetics and ayurvedic medicine by end of December 2011.

Ban Labs has two manufacturing plants in India, one each in Dehradun and Ponta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh.

Apart from the domestic market, Ban Labs also exports its products to regions like UAE, Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, South Africa, Uganda, Jamaica, Romania, Philippines, Australia, Mauritius, Yemen, Poland and South East Asia.

At a growth rate of 70-75 per cent per annum, the company pegged a turnover of Rs 100 crore for the financial year 2010-11.

Ban Labs has more than 100 beauty and healthcare products which the company intends to double up with the help of its R&D team.