Koutons converts more outlets to family stores

Apparel company Koutons Retail is in a consolidation mode and is assessing the performance of its existing 1,400 outlets. The company plans to have a store count of 1,500 outlets the end of March 2010. Noticing a good response and better footfalls in the family stores format, all the new outlets will be based on the family store format, the company has now relocated about 50 outlets across India and converted over 150 exclusive men's outlets into their family store format, housing the men's, women's and kid's collection all under one roof. The first such store was opened in April 2008. The new stores will be between 4,000 to 5,000 square feet. The company is going ahead with the plans very cautiously due to the slowdown that affected market sentiments. The company plans to make an investment of Rs 100-150 crore for this financial year. Koutons is also testing the exclusive women and kids wear store format and if successful, will launch the format next year. Koutons, which positions itself as a mass brand, has recently added a new range - Feel Me, positioned slightly higher at a price point of Rs 899. The company hopes to strengthen its bottom line through this brand. The company sees opportunities in the Gulf for exports and plans to utilise its manufacturing capacity to enter into the export market in the next financial year.