Lifestyle takes cautious approach to expansion

Witnessing an overall growth of 20 percent in FY13, Lifestyle

International is not focussing on aggressive expansion. The company has planned to take a cautious approach to growth keeping the current economic condition in mind. However, it added 20 Max stores last year, taking the number up to 75 and opened three stores of Lifestyle. The company has not stopped retail expansion completely but is looking at opening around 8-10 stores this year because some malls got delayed.

While competitors are focusing on expansion hoping for speedy economic recovery, Lifestyle is looking to a steady growth of 25 percent this year even when more players are expected. The company has been growing at over 25 percent CAGR over the last five years and expects to reach Rs 5,500 crores by 2016.

Lifestyle has been looking at metros and small towns for inspiration. It has been stocking merchandise of newer trends inspired both by young generation and catwalk after discovering that stores in small towns such as Vijayawada and Coimbatore were selling more bright-coloured trousers than traditional black-and-gray bottoms.