Swiss Military to invest Rs 200 crore for pan-India expansion

Switzerland-based lifestyle brand for men, Swiss Military, has embarked on a store expansion plan to enhance its presence in India. It has outlined capital investment of Rs 200 crore to set up its own stores and in developing a logistics and warehousing network, a company official said.

“We have been selling our range of products in India since 2011-12 and now time has come to go for a major retail presence. We have decided to have 172 stores in key markets across India,” Anuj Sawhney, MD, Swiss Military Worldwide. He further added: “The company would own and run 12 stores and the rest 160 outlets would come up through the franchise route. The store rollout will start from May and all the 172 stores will be up and running by the end of 2017.”

Swiss Military Lifestyles Products Ltd is the Indian marketing arm of the company. The company’s international range includes travel gear, writing instruments, watches, garments, accessories, kitchenware, eyewear, leather goods, outdoor/ hiking equipment, footwear, cosmetics and electronics. The company has over 1,800 stock keeping units in the global portfolio. Swiss Military will soon introduce watches in India and by June it has plans to offer bicycles to its customers in the price range of Rs 12,000 to 25,000. Better footprint outlines capital investment of Rs 200 crore and plans 172 stores in key markets across India.

Incepted in 1984 with only watches, Swiss Military has now increased its portfolio to a large range of products from key chains to bicycles across 26 countries.

Nando’s expands presence in India, opens another outlet

Nando’s, a chain of casual dining restaurants based in South Africa, has opened its third franchise of Flame Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken restaurant in Connaught Place here Thursday night.

The Nando’s flame landed in India in 2010 and since then, the brand has got two franchises in Delhi including the first Vasant Kunj and second at Gurgaon.

The restaurant is know for it’s chicken and that is the reason other type of meat or even fish remains elusive from the menu. The emphasis is on chicken and it can seen when the dish is served.

The restaurant, which was started in South Africa in 1987, also keeps health quotient in mind as the chicken is not fried but grilled.

“Nando’s stand for chicken and chips and we are not diluting it to come to India. The product is the same across the world. The popularity has increased immensely with people getting over fast food and moving towards a healthier choice,” said Deepinder Singh Batth, CEO, Nando’s Delhi.

With eclectic interiors done in all-natural shades of wood and Afro music playing in the background, the restaurant promises to give a glimpse of the African side to the customers.

The dish not to miss out is Peri-Peri chicken which happens to be their signature dish. Their formula is to marinate chicken for 24 hours and grill it with the addition of various levels of chilli for a spicy style. One can choose from variety of sauces like lemon and herb, mild, hot and extra hot.

However, vegetarians need to get gloomy as there is also an array of decent vegetarian dishes too like Peri-Peri paneer kebabs. The place goes easy on the pocket with fairly priced menu.

“The idea is to provide a good and filling meal at a good price. Hence we have priced our food accordingly,” Batth said.