IndiaRetailBiz

“We are a women’s international fashion brand, operating 15,000 stores out of 45 countries. We believe in bringing style to the consumers, and not create fashion victims.” — Manjula Tiwari, Chief Operating Officer, Esprit Madura Garments.

Esprit, an international youthful lifestyle brand that offers 12 product lines of smart, affordable luxury a lifestyle products worldwide, is present in India through its ready-to-wear, clothes and accessories for women’s only.

It currently operates 12 stores in India and has put plans in place to set up over 100 stores in the coming three years.

Founded 40 years ago in 1968 by Susie and Doug Tompkins in San Fransisco, Esprit operates over 640 directly managed retail stores and over 12,000 wholesale point-of-sales worldwide, occupying over 817,000 square meters directly managed retail space in more than 40 countries. In India, Madura Garments, a division of the Aditya Birla Nuvo Group, has distribution licensing arrangement with Esprit.

The expansion drive will help Esprit double its turnover every three years, says a Hindu Business Line report. Esprit with annual sales of Rs.80 crore this year has accounted for over 11% of Madura Garment’s overall turnover of around Rs 700 crore, in 2008.

“The first two years of our operations, we saw great results and so we are positive about achieving the targeted turnover,” said Manjula Tiwari, COO of Esprit.

Apart from Esprit, Madura Garments also owns ot distributes wellknown apparel brands like Allen Solly, Louis Phillip, Van Huesen, Peter England and S F Jeans. Although, Madura Garments is consciouslly moving from ‘wardrobe’ to ‘lifestyle’ image, the group is present in both ‘lifestyle’ and ‘value’ segments through its two subsidiaries, Madura Garments Life Style Retail Company Ltd and Peter England Fashions and Retail Ltd.