Duke’s latest agenda is to increase EBO count

Duke Fashions the popular brand of casual wear has recently unveiled its collection for summer 2013. In fact, the brand is expecting to grow over 30 percent this season. Elaborating on their future plans and strategy for the brand, Kuntal Raj Jain,

Director, Duke Fashions says, “Apart from opening 50 EBOs this year, we plan to foray into sportswear and venture into new export markets. Duke is now diversifying into many segments and providing an endless range of products including, T-shirts, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, tracksuits, thermals, jogging suits, shirts, denims and trousers, lowers, bermudas, shorts, value packs, lounge wear and accessories for men, women and kids.” With a turnover of about Rs 200 crores at present, Duke Fashions is eyeing Rs 400 crores in the next three years riding on its retail and product expansion plans.

Duke’s latest summer Escapade Collection-2013 is inspired by marine summer and symbolizes vivid, cool assortment of casual wear. The range boasts of some exciting colour combinations and designs in stripes, prints, embroidery, patchwork, short lengths, et al, providing the right selection for urban street wear.

The brand is present in some 300 EBOs and a mix of consignment (70) and paid-up (230) retail network. “In consignment, we have company-owned and franchisees. By March 2013, we may have 50 more EBOs. These will be in Tier II and III cities. We are increasing our presence in metros mostly in the north and east. Right now we are expanding in the south,” states Jain.

The brand has 11 stores in Hyderabad and Secunderabad and is increasing its store count in Karnataka. It has EBOs in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, J&K, Delhi, Uttarakhand and some cities of UP like Kanpur, Allahabad, Lucknow, and Varanasi. In Bihar and Jharkhand, it enjoys an extensive presence through 60 EBOs. “We are also present in Metro Cash and Carry, Carrefour, Bharti Wal-Mart and Reliance Trends. About 40 percent sales come from EBOs and large formats contribute about 12 percent. The rest comes from MBOs. About one and a half percent come comes from e-retailing. We have our portal and are doing good numbers through e-retailing. We have tied up with some third parties too,” Jain adds.