IT sector driving premium travel gear market

IT sector is driving the premium travel gear products' segment that comprises portfolio bags, laptop cases, bag packs and cabin-size trolleys.

Travel gear products' premium segment is valued over Rs 100 crore in India and has been growing at a scorching pace of 30 per cent for the last two years.

To cater to the sector's needs companies like Samsonite, Giordano and VIP are stirring it up by offering a range of products in various colours, texture and fabric options.

"Affluence-led impulsive shopping, pleasing customers, colleagues and exposure to international work culture are the main factors driving the premium travel gear segment and helping it grow at such a frantic pace," said Ramesh Rath, CEO, Elite Brands distributor for Giordano range of travel gear products in India.

To meet this sector's (information technology) needs, companies have begun offering the latest products and the time lines with international fashion trends and products hitting Indian shelves has shrunk to three months from earlier nine months to a year, he added.

Organised Indian travel gear products is divided into three segment "" premium, core and economy "" and is valued around Rs 800 crore and the unorganised sector is estimated to be around Rs 1,000 crore.

Giordano Travel Gear, which entered India in August 2004, plans to position itself in shop-in-shop formats.

The company on Saturday opened its company outlet in Bangalore.

With organised retailing taking off in a few cities and many national retailers rapidly expanding, the company is gearing up to ride the wave through this formats, said Ramesh Rath.

Within a short-time, Giordano has gained considerable ground and now occupies second position behind Samsonite in the premium segment of the luggage industry.

The other players in this segment are other global brands like Delsey, Eminent, Echolac and the domestic player VIP.

Presently, Giordano operates through a chain of company-owned and franchised exclusive outlets, and chain stores such as Lifestyle, Shoppers' Stop, Central Malls, SAGA, Benzer, Nik Nish, Pyramid.

"At present 16 stores are operational and another four will be opened by the December. The company aims to open another 10 stores in 2006," Ramesh Rath.