New Delhi: Koutons Retail, which operates a chain of apparel stores under different brand names in the country, will foray into the Middle East by the end of this year by opening exclusive outlets.

“We are exploring all options to enter Middle East. By the end of this year,we expect to start operations by opening around 30 stores including brands - Koutons and Charlie Outlaw outlets,” DPS Kohli, chairman, Koutons Retail India, said.

He said there was a lot of scope for the two brands because of the demand coming from Asian population residing there.

The company was earlier exporting Kouton and Charlie brand apparel to the Middle East, which was stopped in 2004 as a part of its strategy to focus on the domestic market.

“As a manufacturer, we were exporting to Middle East earlier, but after we opened our first Koutons store in 2002 in India and started expanding in the country, subsequently exports were stopped in the following year. Now we intend to open exclusive outlets for selling Koutons and Charlie Outlaw brand apparel and accessories in Middle East,” Kohli said.

On the investment front he said the company was still working on the modalities, and it would depend on which model was adopted.

Koutons is also looking at expanding the product portfolio by adding categories like accessories and handbags for women and casual shoes for men within this year. At present, Koutons Retail operates around 1,200 stores of its brands — Koutons and Charlie Outlawacross India.

In the last financial year Koutons Retail has extended its brand with the introduction of Les Femme (women wear) and Koutons Junior (kids wear) which are slated to provide further boost the company’s growth in the current year.

“Going ahead, in this year, the plan is to have total 1,800 outlets and eventually have 1,000 Koutons outlets and 2,000 Charlie Outlaw outlets in next 3-4 years,” Kohli added.

Source : DNA