retail news

Dabur to acquire Fem Care?
12 Nov 2008
Media is abuzz with the news that Dabur India, country's leading chain of personal care products, is on the verge of acquiring Fem Care, a FMCG and pharma company famous for its Fem bleach, for a hefty sum of Rs 3 billion.When contacted, Dabur India spokesperson turned up saying the reports 'merely speculative'. However, Fem Care officials remained unavailable to comment on the issue. Dabur India marked a 18.4 per cent growth to Rs 699.30 crore in its second quarter ended September 30. Further, Dabur's international business also grew at a rapid pace with the division recording a growth of 40.5 per cent. On the other hand, Fem Care posted a net profit of 46 million rupees on sales of 937.5 million rupees in the financial year ended March 30, 2008.


Bharti Wal-Mart to establish retail training centre in Punjab
12 Nov 2008
In an attempt to get skilled manpower, Bharti Wal-Mart Pvt Ltd, the joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Wal-Mart Stores Inc for wholesale cash-and-carry and back-end supply chain management operations in India, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Punjab to establish a special skills training centre in Amritsar. This public-private partnership has been forged with the aim of bridging the shortage of skilled workers for cash-and-carry and organised retail formats, said a company press release. Branded as ‘Bharti Wal-Mart Training Centre’, the centre will initially offer short-term vocational certification courses that will equip candidates to become floor and sales assistants or supervisors through a special curriculum developed by Wal-Mart and Bharti Learning Systems.Raj Jain, MD and CEO, Bharti Wal-Mart Pvt Ltd, said, “Specialised operations like cash-and-carry and other organised retail formats promise good growth and job prospects, but they require a customer service mindset and very different skills from what is available today. The government of Punjab is very progressive in its outlook and is firmly committed to providing an environment that promotes both employment and employability. We look forward to partnering them in this joint effort to bridge the skills gap and enhance employability.”“At a later stage when our skill centre capacity is fully utilised, we will explore the possibility of using classrooms at other ITIs/polytechnics across Punjab,” added Jain.The centre is expected to train approximately 125 candidates each month and offer 100 per cent scholarship to all enrolled candidates, added the release.


Nirula’s to go overseas; 200 domestic outlets by 2011
11 Nov 2008
Fast food and casual dining chain Nirula's is planning to foray into the overseas markets, including the UK, Dubai, Nepal, Oman and Kuwait, disclosed a top company official. "We have opened preliminary discussions with prospective partners in United Kingdom, Kuwait, Dubai, Oman and Nepal. We are looking at the franchise model for growth in those markets," said Samir Kuckreja, chief executive officer and managing director, Nirula's in Delhi during the launch of Nirula’s new range of healthy burgers. Meanwhile the pioneer of family style restaurant business will also invest Rs 1.5 billion for domestic expansion. The company, which currently operates 60 outlets in north India, is expanding into the other parts of the country and plans to take the number of outlets to 200 by 2011."We are going pan-India with plans for 60 more outlets by end of next year and to have around 200 outlets within the next three years. We are carrying out the expansion with an investment of Rs 100-150 crore (1.0-1.5 billion)," he said. However, Kuckreja elaborated that the new outlets would come in all the existing formats including flagship shops, quick-service restaurants and Potpurri.With a growth rate of 40 per cent in the current financial year, the company will also have an overhaul of its menu with plans to introduce healthy food substitutes across its range.




Reliance Retail Delhi CEO quits; joins GSK
11 Nov 2008
Navneet Saluja, CEO, Reliance Retail in Delhi and NCR region, has put in his papers. According to reports Saluja is joining GlaxoSmithkline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare as sales head.Further, Saluja will replace the former sales head of GSK, Ambati Venu, who is to be reallocated to the company's Middle-East operations.GlaxoSmithkline is the world's leading pharmaceuticals organisation. In India, the company also runs FMCG business with major brands including Boost and Horlicks.

Pantaloon Retail awards bonus shares
10 Nov 2008
Pantaloon Retail, a part of Future Group has announced the allotment of bonus shares. The decision was taken in the committee meeting of the company that was held on November 10.In a filing to Bombay Stock Exchange, the Mumbai-based company said that the committee of directors of the company have made allotment of 1,59,29,152 equity shares (class B shares series 1) of Rs 2 each to existing members of the company as bonus shares in the ratio of one Class B share (series 1) for every ten equity shares held in the company.Kishore Biyani-led Pantaloon Retail operates primarily the ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Value’ formats through multiple delivery mechanisms and lines of business.