Carlton Overseas plans to grow big with 50 new stores in 09-10

NEW DELHI: Carlton Overseas Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based fashion footwear and accessories player Carlton Shoes Ltd, is looking to ramp up its operations with plans to open 50 new outlets of its retail brand 'Carlton London' across India by March next year.

"We are planning a major retail expansion in 2009-10 which would include opening 50 'Carlton London' stores, besides setting up around 120 shop-in-shops within larger format supermarkets and multi-branded outlets," Carlton Overseas Pvt Ltd Chief Executive Officer Kamal Gupta said.

The company is also aiming to increase its exports from India.

He, however, refused to disclose the investment plans and said the budget is still being worked out.

Carlton Overseas has presently 10 'Carlton London' stores in Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Ludhiana, among other cities. The company's products are also available in about a dozen large format stores, including chains like Planet Sports.

"Our focus for 2009-10 would be to expand across all metros and Tier I cities including Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Of the 50 new 'Carlton London' stores, around half would be company-owned and the rest franchise operated," Gupta said.