FTV to relaunch F-bar outlets

BANGALORE; Having earlier shut down its F-bar outlets across the country, Fashion TV is now making a come back with a slew of offerings. Starting with fitness and beauty outlets under the brand name F Chisel, FTV is re-launching F-bar as well as bringing to India the F-cafes.

“We will be opening the first European style F-cafe in two to three months in Hyderabad. In the next two years, we will have at least six such outlets, each with an investment of up to Rs 2.5 crore,” said Bharat Sheth, COO, FTV India. These would be European in services, but formatted to suit India, he said.

The F-bars will be re-launched shortly across the country complete with a new look and a more contemporary feel, Mr Sheth said. The first one would open in Hyderabad soon with four more coming this year. The first of its fitness and beauty outlets F Chisel opened on Saturday in Bangalore. These outlets will have a salon and spa as well, along with the fitness centre. It is a JV between FTV and the fitness group, Chisel. This Bangalore-based fitness company also has three stand-alone Chisel centres in the city apart from 87 centres within corporates across the country, said Satya Sinha, CMD, Chisel.

Mr Sheth said that globally, this is the first time FTV has ventured into the fitness space. “In India, we have decided to get into the whole fashion regime - fitness, beauty and spa,” he said. Each F Chisel centre would be over 12,000 square feet with an investment of up to Rs 3.5 crore. “We are placing F Chisel as a lifestyle brand and will be targeting metros and mini metros. In the first two years, we will have at least eight outlets,” Mr Sheth said.