Crocs to open 60 stores by 2018

US shoemaker  Crocs, a footwear brand mostly known for colourful rubbery clogs with holes, entered the country in 2007 through a joint venture with Chogori Retail which was later changed into franchise operation.

Crocs has terminated  its exclusive franchising agreement for India with Chogori Retail and will now partner several companies, instead, to open retail stores in India. "We have planned out a strategy of having few but strong franchise and shedding some of the partners that don't, can't or won't want to grow with us whatever the reason might be," said Nissan Joseph, general manager of Crocs India.

Crocs, plans to open around 60 stores in the next three years apart from pushing its online initiative that already accounts for over 10% of sales in less than a year of its ecommerce entry.

Joseph said the last of the Chogori stores could go on till June. "Some will close and reopen, some will reopen in different locations inside the mall and some will reopen through new franchise partners," he said. Made with lightweight anti-microbial foam called Croslite, Crocs first hit stores in 2004 as a beach shoe and became an instant hit, thanks to its radical colourful design and lightweight, comfortable and odour-resistant qualities. 

US fitness chain Anytime Fitness to pump up Indian muscle with 100 gyms

US-based fitness chain Anytime Fitness is using the franchisee route to grow faster in the Indian market and aims to open 100 centres in three years.

Anytime Fitness wants to be a pan-India chain. “We see a long-term opportunity in the Indian market considering the low penetration levels. We find the Indian market very similar to what the US market was 15-20 years back,” John Kersh, vice president, Anytime Fitness Gym, said.

“We have grown from one centre in the US in 2002 to 2,000 centres in 50 states of the country. With a presence in 20 countries we look forward to having 4,000 to 4,200 centres by 2018 and India is an important market for us as the incidence of lifestyle diseases is higher in the country and the awareness about health is growing,” he said.

The penetration of fitness programmes in India is as low as 0.5 per cent in India, while it is six to seven per cent in Asia and 16 to 17 per cent in the US.

According to Kersh, franchising has worked well for the brand globally as the operating expenses are low in the model.

“A centre needs around 400 members to break even and most of them break even in about six months. The centres are easily accessible being located in residential areas and are open 19 hours a day. Before opening a centre, we enroll around 150 to 200 members and this too helps the centres break-even fast,’ said Vikas Jain, managing director, Anytime Fitness India.

The company will initially handhold the franchisee in order to find the location, set up the centre, source equipment, recruit and train the staff and to promote the brand. Apart from setting up new centres, the brand is also open to converting and upgrading its existing gyms. In India a majority of the fitness centres are in the unorganised sector.

Canon opens 124th Image Square outlet

Canon, a digital imaging brand launched its 10th Canon Image Square (CIS) in Mumbai. Canon Image Squares are the brands exclusive outlets. The brand has so far opened 123 stores across 64 cities in the country. Canon’s service reach extends to over 3200 towns with 18 Canon camera service centres and 38 printer Canon Care Centres. This store in Virar, Mumbai, takes the total tally to 18th Canon Image Square in Maharashtra.

The company plans to expand its retail business by setting up exclusive Canon Image Square outlets across the country.  With the objective to reach closer to the customer and to develop an engaging relationship with existing as well as new customers, Canon Image Square is further expanding its presence in western part of India. All existing CIS stores in Mumbai are located in different catchment areas and are easily accessed by a wide cross section of customers for a world class experience.

The store will offer customers the latest Canon cameras, lenses and photography accessories such as camera bags, tripods, chargers etc., in addition to exciting printing products and solutions. Customers are provided complete experience of the products; they can take prints of photographs, directly from their smart phones, tablets, pen drives, memory cards or CD’s. Canon also offers free training for all DSLR camera buyers through the CIS stores.

Simba Toys plans to expand in small cities in India

Simba Toys India, a part of German toy maker Simba Dickie Group, is expanding its sales network in large as well as small cities of the country. 

"Simba is committed to the India market and we are closely looking at expanding our presence in the country. We will be expanding our retail network through the franchisee store model across metros, Tier II and III cities," Simba Toys Business Head Narayan Sabharwal told . 

"With the development of the Bharat story, we are looking at around 60 per cent of our stores in non-metro locations," he added. 

The company is operating 20 stores at present and has plans to add 30-40 stores in the next one year. Simba Dickie Group is one of the top five players in the industry. 

Simba has a strategy to build a hub-and-spoke model with regular stores spread out amongst metros, tier II & III places and 5-8 flagship stores in the top cities forming the hub. 

Over setting up of any manufacturing unit for toys here, he said: "currently we have no plans of setting up a manufacturing facility in India though our product line is customised to meet the needs of the Indian consumer". 
Simba has manufacturing units in countries including China and Thailand. 

Over import of cheap and toxic toys from China, Sabharwal said that its products are manufactured in China with German quality assurance. 

Presently Simba's in-house brands as Majorette, Steffi, Squap etc are contributing around 70 per cent of its sales in India. 

Chhabra 555 forays into West Bengal

Chhabra 555, one of the renowned ethnic wear retail chains of India opened its first store in West Bengal. The recently opened store which is a franchise unit located at Kanchrapara. The brand has made a notable presence in West Bengal, Bangalore and Gangtok. It is looking forward to foray into areas which have not been explored by it yet.

The outlet showcases the whole gamut of Indian ethnic wear including unstitched and readymade suits,duppatas, anarkalis, bridal lehengas and sarees. The collection is affordable and especially aligned to suit the need and demand of enlightened and fashion conscious consumers of West Bengal. The customers can browse through a variety of collections and choose from an array of dazzling colors, styles and patterns.

Chhabra Triple Five Fashions Pvt. Ltd was established about 50 years ago as a small saree shop. Today it has grown to become one of the top wholesalers and retailers of India. It has its head office in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. Chhabra 555 runs a thriving business rooted in Indian culture and tradition that strives to wrap an Indian woman’s presence in the thread of beauty. Known for its unique designs and fine quality products available at affordable prices, Chhabra 555 provides a large variety of products, which they customise according to individual market and area. 

McDonald’s opens two outlets in Mangalore

Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL), a Master Franchisee for West & South India operations of McDonald’s restaurants and a subsidiary of the BSE listed Westlife Development Limited entered Mangalore with the opening of two restaurants in quick succession. These launches add to the established network of 74 restaurants across Southern India.

McDonald’s Forum Fiza Mall sprawls over 3500 sq. ft while the restaurant at City Centre Mall can seat up to 134 guests within the restaurant and 32 guests outdoors.

Ranjith Paliath, Vice President, Business Operations, McDonald's India (West & South) said, “We are proud to open two McDonald's restaurants in Mangalore. We ensure that customers who come to McDonald’s get quality fresh food at great prices. Our menu has been created using flavourful spices that appeal to Indian tastes.  The restaurants will each have a team of 50 employees to manage operations in the initial phase. Further, McDonald’s also aims to generate employment and provide international training to local residents, creating opportunities for first time job seekers while also adding to the strength of 2,500 individuals that they have directly employed across business operations in South India.”

McDonald’s operates through various formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, drive-thru’s, 24/7, McDelivery, Web and Mobile ordering, Breakfasts and dessert Kiosks. The menu features burgers, finger foods, wraps, hot and cold beverages besides a wide range of desserts. Several of the McDonald’s restaurants feature the in-house McCafé. 

CADD Centre's DreamZone To Open 200 Centres

DreamZone, an initiative of CADD Centre, has set a target of opening 200 centres by the end of this financial year. The brand is presently running 60 centres in the country and several others are under process.

On the kind of prospective franchise partners the brand is looking for, Official Spokesperson of Cadd Centre, says, “We are looking for partners who have a strong passion for education business and should have a desire to be in the business for many years. Largely, we expect to have franchise partners who are serious about their entrepreneurial journey.”

CADD Centre was formed as a business entity during December 1987 in Chennai. It is also promoting DreamZone which runs School of Interior Design, School of Animation and School of Fashion Design that collectively offer about 50 courses - from PG Diploma to Master Diploma to certificate courses - that suit student’s unique time and skill needs. DreamZone is an education member of Institute of Indian Interior Designers, icograda, ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD and CMAI.

IndiaOnline.In to Expand Its Business Via Franchisees

India’s online network, IndiaOnline.in has plans to expand its business network through 5,000 franchisees all over India. It is a one-stop shop for acquiring quality information about India and is a unique amalgamation of 350+ websites covering every state, city and town of India.

India Online Network has been in existence since the last five years and now it has brought a unique business opportunity for masses to join the Internet revolution in the country by partnering with them. IndiaOnline.in in its endeavour to create a network of more than 4,000 Business Associates from all over India, is inviting applications to join the network as Business Associate from each and every city and town of India. Smaller towns with less than two lakh population will have 1- 5 business associates per town or city while bigger cities will have multiple associates depending upon the size and population of the city.

Rahul Jalan, Director, Indiaonline.in says, “We take pride in expanding ourselves through the franchise route as we feel we will be creating a huge self-employment opportunity in every city and even the smallest of towns in India. By expanding our network, we wish to bring forward a unique business opportunity for anyone who joins our network as a Business Associate. We at India Online Network are striving hard to make India Online Network – a true synonym of the online information system India.”

Any-one who qualifies to become a Business Associate will have to pay a one-time very nominal non-refundable joining fee of Rs. 2000/- to 7000/- depending upon the city tier. It is a considerable and unique business and self employment opportunity for individuals, web designers, web marketing firms, cyber cafes, Aadvertising agencies, marketers, freelancers and even Students. The qualification needed to become the Business Associate is minimum 10+2 pass with reasonable knowledge of Internet with access to Internet connection.

The role of a Business Associate would be to promote and sell various paid membership, website and listing services among the businesses, industries and small businesses in their own city/town and also other local advertising options.