Black Panther to increase product line, retail presence

With Indians taking greater interest in sports, Black Panther, the active and sportswear brand is going all out to establish its presence in a market dominated by stellar brands like Puma, Nike and Adidas. The brand from Mumbai-based Juneja Global is making

a mark by delivering top notch international quality and style.

Currently, Black Panther has five EBOs in India – three in Mumbai and two in Indore, all ranging between 250 to 300 sq. ft. area. Plans are afoot to launch at least five more EBOs by the end of the first quarter of 2011. Two of these are likely to come up in Mumbai alone and one each in Pune and Hyderabad. In the large format retail outlets, Black Panther is available in chains like Shoppers Stop, Globus, Pantaloons, Central, Pyramid, Reliance, Hyper City, Royal Sporting House, Aditya Birla Retail and Magnet.

The brand is also available in 1,200 retail outlets in India and by next year the numbers will go up in a big way. As Shakshi Juneja, Business Development Manager, Juneja Global says, “Retail stores are more of a brand presence for us than a full-fledged business operation. We are not looking at that because that kind of contradicts the sports trade.” The brand has crossed national boundaries, as well retailing through three hypermarkets in the UAE, including Lulu Hypermarket, a chain popular with the local Indian expatriates. Registered in the UAE under the same brand name, Black Panther is in talks with one of the leading middle range garment outlet brand in the Gulf, Splash.

Cautious product line extension is the current focus of the brand. Whilst it does not carry sports and fitness equipments at the moment, talks are underway for a possible tie up with reputed international manufacturers to produce equipments that are aligned to complement the garment range. Black Panther recently introduced swim wear for both genders, with about 20 styles for each. The next extension in the swim wear range would be head wear and goggles, outsourced within the next six months.

For next year, sports footwear is also being considered, more on the fitness side rather than professional sports shoes, as the former has a much larger market. The initial range of fitness footwear would be priced between Rs 600 and Rs 2,000, with at least 10 styles to choose from. The lucrative kids’ sportswear range is to be launched as early as August this year. The children’s range will include track pants, T-shirts, shorts and complete track suits.

Juneja added, “Right now we are not looking at eye wear and electronic sports devices. However, we are in talks with international brands it may happen in the near future.” Black Panther is currently expanding its existing range organically and only adding when the new products complement the existing line.