Duke to focus on online sales, new store this fiscal

Duke is taking on the challenge and opportunity to turn into a global brand. Best known for its tees, Duke recently bagged the ‘Indian Power Brand’ award at Power Brand Glam 2013, held at Las Vegas, for its innovation,

product quality and for being the most preferred apparel brand.

Online sales to boost growth

Duke is well established in all states of India through more than 300 EBOs and is being retailed in over 3,000 selected premium retailers (MBOs). It plans to open almost 50 new EBOs and 150 MBOs and focus on online sale this financial year.

“We have launched our exclusive portal for online sale. One can shop online at www.dukeindia.com,” says Kuntal Raj Jain, Director, Duke Fashions. With the help of its exhaustive advertising and promotional campaign, the company has entered UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Jeddah markets. The products are exclusively placed at big chain stores like Reliance, Bharti-Walmart, Metro, Central, Yebhi.com, Brand Factory, Coupon, Mega mart, Carrefour, More, Maya Retail, Trends.com, Jabong.com, Myntra.com, Flipkart, Yuvastyle.com, shoplik, tradus.com, Snapdeal.com among others.

Gearing up for winter with colorful collection

Duke’s winter 2013 range is playful, young, colourful and vibrant with sleek fits, contemporary styling, and kaleidoscopic prints in fabrics. From warm tones and earthy accents, to bright contemporary hues with neon accents, the range has it all. The collection comprises of jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, tracksuits, thermals, stiles, shawls, caps and mufflers. They are priced attractively between Rs 599 to 3,999. The entire collection is targeted at men, women and kids.

The most attractive feature of this collection is the two piece designer polo value pack priced Rs 825, two piece designer V-neck at Rs 735 and two piece round neck value pack priced at Rs 725. The mercerized cotton range in the full sleeve T-shirts is also creating a buzz. Duke Fall/Winter collection also has sports and relax wear like tracksuits, jogging suits, lowers, lounge wears value packs priced attractively between Rs 585 to Rs 2,999. “Colorful, young and vibrant, sleek fits, contemporary styling, kaleidoscopic prints in fabrics will be the latest trends,” says Jain.

Growth expectations

The brand is expecting an average growth of 30 percent this festival season. We are going to open a lot of showrooms this festive season which will boost our sales and brand image,” adds Jain.

According to him the fall of the rupee has not had much of impact on domestic brands. However, prices of imported fabrics will go up, transport costs too will increase and this will affect the price of products. Duke’s the cost of production too has gone up” reveals Jain.

The success of exclusive showrooms/factory outlets and exports is driving the company to new heights. Foray into sportswear segment, expansion of retail network and exploring new export markets are the key future plans. Duke is now diversifying into many segments. The company is providing an endless range of products including, T-shirts, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, tracksuits, thermals, jogging suits, shirts, denims and trousers etc.