Celio to expand in India

French men’s apparel brand, Celio is planning to invest Rs 15 crore in the current financial

year ending January 2011, to expand its presence across India. The brand recently opened a new store at Ampa Skywalk in Chennai. The new store, spread over 1,400 sq. ft. would showcase Celio’s collection of business, casual and sportswear for men. The brand has a presence in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi with standalone stores and across the country in shop-in-shops.

Specialists in men’s ready-to-wear, Celio offers its customers trousers, shirts, sweaters, T-shirts, polo-shirts, suits, jackets, belts, ties and boxer shorts. According to Rajat Luthra, CEO, Celio Future Fashion, the brand is planned to open a new store in Hyderabad and two more in Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Pune. At present it has 42 shop-in-shops and 10 standalone stores. It plans to add another 30 shop-in-shops and 15 standalone stores in the current financial year. So far Celio has invested Rs 25 crore and its aiming to achieve a turnover of Rs 50 crore by 2011.

Founded in 1978, by Marc and Laurent Grossman, today Celio is a market leader in men’s ready to wear clothing in France. In India it has a joint venture with the Future Group. The brand is retailed through exclusive brand outlets and select stores of Pantaloons and Central.