VIP to open 40 exclusive retail outlets

Leading luggage manufacturer VIP Industries Ltd today said it was all set to commission its new manufacturing facility in Uttaranchal and further strengthen its retail network by opening 40 more exclusive stores across the country next fiscal.

"The new manufacturing facility in Haridwar (Uttaranchal) would start producing about 20 lakh pieces per year from this April and we plan to open 40 exclusive outlets across the country in the next financial year," Chief Financial Officer of Blow Plast, the marketing arm of VIP Industries Ltd, V S Mani told reporters here today.

The company has already spent Rs 20 crore on the manufacturing unit at Haridwar and would spend another Rs 5 crore to open new exclusive outlets, he said.

The luggage-maker intends to put an end to unauthorised use of its trademark and took two retailers to court. "Lots of retailers use our logo without actually realising that they are committing a civil crime," Company Secretary, VIP Industries Ltd, Rajesh Doshi said.

"The company reserves the right to institute proceedings to enforce its valuable intellectual property rights. We have identified four more retailers, who are using our logo without being authorised by us," he said.

The company has over 8,000 authorised retailers across the country. It intends to put a check on the unauthorised use of its logo, he said.

"We certainly do not intend to stop those retailers from selling vip brands," he said.