Naturals to expand operations; eyes 650 outlets by 2014-end

Hair and beauty salon chain Naturals is looking to almost double its outlets by the end of the current year, as it aims to open 300 new shops across domestic as well as international locations.
The company, which expects to close the current financial year with Rs 250 crore turnover, is also targeting Rs 450 crore in revenues in the next fiscal.
"We are looking to have 650 salons by the end of this year. The major expansion will happen in North India, where we intend to open around 200 new outlets," Naturals CEO and Co- Founder CK Kumaravel told PTI.

The company, which currently has over 340 outlets across the country, is looking to expand operations in North India as well as establish shops across various nations including Sri Lanka, UAE and Malaysia.
Besides, the company also aims to open 50 outlets in international locations and the same number in South India, Kumaravel added.
The Chennai-based firm, which has a strong presence in South India, today roped in Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor as the brand ambassador as it looks to make inroads into the North Indian markets.

"We are focusing to expand in Hindi heartland, that is one of the reasons to rope in Kareena as brand ambassador. Also, she also has great influence in the overseas markets like UAE, Malyasia, Dubai," Kumaravel said.

Kareena would help in taking the brand forward in both domestic and international markets, he added.
The company, which has currently one salon in Sri Lanka, plans to take the figure to 20 in the island-nation, by the end of this year.
"Majority of the outlets, both in India as well as abroad, will be franchises," Kumaravel said adding that the company has already initiated process to appoint a master franchise in Sri Lanka.
Besides, the company plans to have 20 outlets in the UAE and 10 in other international markets by the end of this year.
Commenting on the domestic expansion, he said the company will focus on Punjab, Delhi/NCR, Maharashtra and Gujarat for expanding its presence.