Hang N Hold to open EBOs in 2014

Expecting a 20 percent growth over last year, brand Hang N Hold from Swami Textiles, is planning to add bags to its product range in 2014. Also on the cards is opening own EBOs. “In 2014, we plan to have our own EBOs in Punjab and Chandigarh.

To begin with, we will open four to five EBOs, which will be company owned and managed. E-business is already doing well for us in the US and UK, we are targeting Spain and France next year,” exclaims Amit Jain, Director, Swami Textiles.

Product basket and USP

The company has been in textiles since 1954. In 1996, it started exporting to major countries and brands. Elaborating on the journey, Jain says, “In 2011, we thought of launching our own collection in India and started with a collection of scarves in MBOs. Then we went into women’s wear. Now we have kurtis, winter tweed coats, kaftans, tunics, tops and leggings for the 18 to 60 age group. Our scarves range between Rs 550 to Rs 3,000, kurtis are from Rs 800 to Rs 2,700, winter coats between Rs 3,200 to Rs 6,500, tunics and tops from Rs 1,100 to Rs 2,000, whereas leggings are from Rs 550 to Rs 850.”

The company also has a fully integrated unit with in-house spinning, weaving, dyeing and processing facilities, with 120 powerlooms, 40 handlooms and 30 shuttle-less dornier rapier looms having ability to handle fabric widths ranging from 190 to 340 cms, and multi gauge hand-flats for knitting.

The brand is present in 600 MBOs. “We are strong in Delhi, Benaras, Kanpur, Jaipur, Bangalore, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chennai and Chandigarh. It’s also retailed through Reliance Trends and Lifestyle. We are now looking at exploring western India,” adds Jain.

Offerings for next Season

For Autumn/Winter ’13, scarves are in woolen jacquards, woolen prints. Scarves have bright colours. Coat fabrics are woolen based. Coats are slim fit and colour combinations vary from red, black to teal. Kurtis have highlights, fusion of fabrics, fusion of textures and woven lines.

Commenting on the excise duty removal on branded clothing, Jain says that there has been a bit of a price correction owing to it. “We handle raw material fluctuations by cutting on costs—increasing productivity and product turnover. Customer sentiment will be positive if we are able to give innovative and cost effective products but cost control, productivity and distribution are major issues. These need to be handled well but e-commerce would be a major growth factor for the industry,” he opines.