Columbia Sportswear on expansion spree in India

Columbia Sportswear Company’s exclusive Indian distributor, Chogori India Retail (CIRL), has opened six new stores of the brand. The latest is the new store in Kolkata. CIRL had signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Columbia Sportswear Company in 2013.

Columbia Sportswear Company, a leading innovator in the active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industries entered India in 2013. With an aim to widen its reach across India, the brand undertook an aggressive multi-channel retail strategy that saw the launch of its virtual business platform through its official website columbiasportswear.co.in last year. It is also negotiating a deal with third-party online platforms doing well in the country.

Also on the company’s agenda is to open up to 120 points of sale, exclusive stores and shop-in-shops over the next three years in India. Columbia Sportswear will also target shop-in-shops by October next year in select multi-brand departmental stores like Shoppers Stop. CIRL, meanwhile has pulled out of its franchise deal with Crocs in India.