GFA set to open Coffee World outlet in Kolkata

Switzerland-based Global Franchise Architects (GFA), builder, operator and franchiser of speciality food brands, has announced plans to open a coffee and ice cream outlet by the end of this month in Kolkata. Further, the company intends to open 35 outlets in the next 18-24 months in the eastern region. More...

Louis Vuitton eyes expansion into Lebanon

French fashion brand Louis Vuitton, which will open its flagship Middle East store in Dubai next month, is in the "final stages" of a planned expansion into Lebanon, agency reports. More...

Sanlian Group eyes 100 more outlets via franchise model

Chinese major Sanlian Group, the parent of Sanlian Commercial Co, plans to open 100 new chain stores in Shandong Province, China in the near future, agency reports. More...

Infosys aids Tesco build customer loyalty in China

International retailer Tesco has reached cooperation with Infosys to increase Tesco's customer loyalty in China, agency reports. More...

Dunn Bros Coffee appoints new president

US-based Dunn Bros Coffee Franchising Inc has appointed chief financial officer Kim Plahn as president and CFO, the company has announced. More...

‘Bharti Retail on course to become $1 billion firm by 2015’

Bharti Retail exuded confidence that it is "on course" to become a billion dollar company by 2015, and will open 40 more stores in the next three months notwithstanding the economic slowdown. Meanwhile, the company will also open its second cash-and-carry store under the 50:50 JV with US-based Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail chain, by December this year. More...

Future Group to focus on sports to boost revenues

Kishore Biyani-owned Future Group, whose main business include retail, apart from consumer finance, insurance, leisure and entertainment, is looking at sports as a focus category to boost revenues. The group is also planning to raise nearly Rs 1,000 crore by offloading equity stake from some of its noncore retail businesses, reports Financial Chronicle. More...

Reliance Retail scouting for non-food FMCG brands

Reliance Retail is scouting for brands in the non-food FMCG space to build a portfolio that will complement its private label business, reports Business Line. More...

Godrej looks for bigger FMCG business spread

The real estate-to-soaps Godrej group has reportedly doubled its kitty for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and decided to spend around Rs 3,000 crore. The group wants to rapidly scale up its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business in India and overseas, reports Financial Chronicle. More...

Vishal Retail to complete debt recast by March 2010

Vishal Retail Ltd expects to complete restructing its debt by March 2010, a senior official said on Wednesday. More...

Spencer in talks with PE firms to raise funds

RPG group-owned Spencer's Retail, a leading multi-format retailer, is in talks with private equity firms to raise funds for its expansion. "We are in talks with some private equity players to raise funds," said Vineet Kapila, CEO, Spencer’s. More...

McDonald's India to add 40 more outlets, invest Rs 150 crore

International food chain, McDonald's, plans to open 40 new outlets across India this fiscal at an investment of Rs 150 crore. "The investment will be at around Rs 3-crore per outlet including back head costs," McDonald's managing director Vikram Bakshi (north and east India) said. More...

PepsiCo to launch lifestyle merchandise

Boosted by the success of its licensing programme globally, beverage major PepsiCo will shortly roll out its range of merchandise in India. More...

Titan eyes 20% growth in watch sales this fiscal

Titan Industries, on Wednesday said that it hopes to clock 20 per cent growth in watch sales and open 40 new “World of Titan” outlets in the current fiscal. “We have been growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent in watch sales for the last three years and this year, we hope to grow by 20 per cent this fiscal,” said Ajay Chawla, business head (Titan & retail). More...

Shilpa Shetty to launch ready meal range in Dubai

Shilpa Shetty, the Bollywood actress and model, is set to launch her range of Indian ready meals in Dubai in the New Year, reports Arabian Business. More...

Marico's Bangladesh unit starts public trading

FMCG major Marico said its Bangladesh subsidiary has got listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange after the completion of its successful public offer. More...