Nikon plans 400 outlets via franchising by this fiscal-end

Nikon India Pvt Ltd plans to add 400 outlets via the franchise model by the end of 2009-10 fiscal, taking the number of outlets to 1,200. Meanwhile, the company is targeting 35 per cent growth in turnover in 2009 as compared with 2008. This would be backed by expansion of dealership network and launching of camera models, as the Indian market is relatively stable in the face of economic downturn, said its managing director, Hidehiko Tanaka. More...

Dubai's Gallery One signs Qatar franchise

Dubai-based art group, Gallery One, has signed a franchise agreement with Al-Jaidah Brothers in Qatar to open two stores in the next 12 months. The Qatari branding and franchising firm is also set to develop further stores in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, the gallery group said in a statement on Monday. More...

Carrefour to further expand in Turkey

Carrefour plans to open around 100 new hyper and supermarkets in Turkey in 2010 after it completes plans to open 60 in 2009, agency reports. More...

Genesis Colors eyes kids’ wear segment

Genesis Colors, the holding company of designer brands Satya Paul, Shobhaa De’ and the lingerie brand Bwitch, is looking to enter the kidswear market by next year. Further, the company, which received a capital infusion of Rs 110 crore from Sequoia Capital Fund, Mayfield Fund and Silicon Valley Bank last year, would also be strengthening the retail footprint of the brands under its umbrella, reports Business Line. More...

MindTree forays into cell handset business

IT services firm MindTree on Monday announced that it has entered the business of developing ready-to-brand mobile handset products. Called N!Mo (Next in Mobility), the new business will offer mobile handsets to telecom service providers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). More...

Farewell malls, future is now on high street

With several malls floundering nationwide and development plans of others getting delayed, the country's largest retailer Future Group has decided to hedge its bets and foray out of malls. The retail major, which, through its private equity funds, is engaged in development of malls (with around 20m sq ft of space), is seeking out traditional shopping centre locations to locate some of its new stores, reports Financial Chronicle. More...