GAS enters Kerala through Suncorp

Italian fashion brand GAS has entered the Kerala market through the retail store network

of Suncorp Exim. The collection of GAS men’s footwear will now be available at 45 retail stores in the state. Suncorp operates 195 exclusive branded retail outlets in the country and holds license for the distribution of GAS footwear.

Priced between Rs 600 and Rs 5,000, the GAS men’s footwear will target the mass market with flip flops, casual slippers, hand crafted sandals, canvas and leather shoes. A trendy collection for women will be out by next year. Suncorp plans to open about 700-800 retail outlets across India, including the 45 stores in Kerala in the first year.

According to a ASSOCHAM report, “Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 15 per cent, the Indian footwear industry is likely to reach approximately Rs 38,700 crores by 2015 from the current level of around Rs 22,000 crores.” The survey also revealed that Indian consumers have become more fashion and brand conscious and due to fast changing fashion trends young professionals tend to update their footwear collection every two to three months and maintain a separate budget of their salary only for shoe shopping.