Cole Haan to open 3 more stores, expand manufacturing

International shoe brand Cole Haan, which has entered the country through a partnership with Arvind Sports Lifestyle, will launch three more stores this fiscal, and also plans to expand its manufacturing and sourcing from here.
"We are focusing on National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Mumbai. We have already opened two stores and plan three more launches this fiscal. Our business plan is aggressive," Rajiv Mehta, CEO of Arvind Sports told PTI.
Cole Haan, which specialises in casual and dress leather shoes, was earlier owned by Nike and was acquired three years ago by private equity firm Apax Partners.
"India is a very important market, and growing, and has a great receptivity to American brands. It is already an export hub product-wise globally for us (Cole Haan), and a lot of products we sell in the US and other core markets are made in India. This will only grow," Gregory C Dinges, president, Asia Pacific, Cole Haan said.

China has also been a big source of footwear manufacturing, not just for Cole Haan but also for others, and is becoming less prevalent, he pointed out.
The brand is currently growing Vietnam as another sourcing alternative in Asia, he added. However, for India, merchandise will be imported as of now.

Cole Haan, which was already retailing on Myntra, will continue with no discounting and more controlled pricing, Mehta said.
It is positioned as a bridge-to-luxury premium brand and will be priced between Rs 7,000 to Rs 25,000 for a pair of shoes.
Arvind Sports is also launching women's shoe brand Heatwave in the country this year, as a plan to cash in on the growing premium footwear market.