Optimistic about the India growth story, GAS Jeans is working on its retail expansion strategy for small towns. Elaborating on the company’s plans for India, M M Kamath, Director, GAS Jeans says, “We have six EBOs across major cities
like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. We also have a strong presence in Ludhiana, Patiala, Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Jammu through LFS like Shoppers Stop and Kapsons. GAS is gradually growing its distribution by increasing the number of EBO’s in Tier II cites. We are looking at opening stores in Chennai, Amritsar and Chandigarh soon. Along with stand-alone stores, development and distribution will continue in India through the following months with additional exclusive areas in different cities across the country.” GAS Jeans is a manufacturer and distributor of men’s, women’s, and kids’ clothing, footwear and accessories.
Grotto
Spa, the parent company was launched in the early 1970s in Chiuppano near Vicenza. Over the years, the company and the GAS brand, registered in 1984, have enhanced their image through the creation and distribution of high quality collections. GAS ventured into sportswear/jeanswear sector in the early 70’s. Commenting on the brand’s philosophy and mission, Kamath says, “GAS’s mission is to offer quality products that meet the needs of intelligent, discerning, international, cosmopolitan consumers looking for clothes with a contemporary feel that goes beyond the fashion of the moment to express their individuality on every occasion.” In India, GAS is positioned as a premium Italian fashion & lifestyle brand and offers stylish and versatile fashion collections that are practical and functional. The brand is targeted at trend-conscious men and women who are not fashion victims.
“Our latest collection in India will be the Spring/Summer 2013 collection. The trend for SS ’13 is towards medium to medium light shades treated with sandpapering and light washes to give a ‘raw used’ look that is fluid and pleasing to the touch, or heavier but still discreet and sophisticated treatments with darns and mends that use tone on tone yarns, patches, colour spots and dirtying,” Kamath highlights the latest offerings from GAS. Adding further, he says, “The basis of our spring/summer ’13 range is experimentation with all the shades of indigo. A large part of the range is homage to GAS blue. A fabric in a very deep, intense, almost Indian ink blue, is given treatments of varying intensity that go from raw to a strong wash that gives brilliant colors, particularly in the women’s range. Colored denim also plays an important role, starting from classic grey denim and exploring new directions. Denim fabrics colored inside and grey outside as a result of intense washes for the women’s range and lighter ones for the men’s, create chiaroscuro effect and unusual color nuances that go from acid green to teal, mauve and wisteria blue.”
Kamath concludes by saying, “Indian markets are flourishing and we do see an increase in demand for retail. The demand for our products has been consistent. GAS represents exceptional value and offers a great price/value relationship worth the premium price.”
