Complete brand

The aim is to double the brand’s turnover to Rs 350 crore. The tycoon would like to make the stores a one-stop destination for a man’s every need. The tycoon has begun by introducing fragrances, inner wear, eyewear, headwear, bags and luggage items for men, and more could be on that list later. Perhaps, the tycoon is preparing for competition he could face from international brands that are now pushing their way into India through collaborations with local retailers and others who wait in the wings for an easier FDI regime.

Karan’s Cobra

Karan Bilimoria has clearly come a long way since the days when he used to import beer brewed at Mysore Breweries to supply to London restaurants. With the rising import costs, he had then decided to set up a unit in London. Now it’s the turn of his India business plan to go through. His Cobra Beer is set to market his first super premium beer, brewed in India in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Goa, Hyderabad and Bangalore. He has invested a tidy sum in upgrading Mount Shivalik’s breweries in Rajasthan, with whom he has a supply agreement. He will also upgrade its facilities in Punjab and Maharashtra to meet Cobra’s quality standards.

With the Indian brewing scene presently dominated by Mallaya’s United Breweries, it could be tough going for this brewing tycoon. But Karan is perhaps relying more on his understanding of Indian taste, which stands proven after his phenomenal success with Indians in UK. With all the moolah to back up and no compromise on the quality front, this tycoon is confident of repeating his success story in his ‘country of origin’.

Coup in Cal

Subhash Chandra’s Siticable Network has just concluded an important deal in the eastern megapolis grabbing RPG’s Indian Cable Net (ICN). A small but strategic takeover that gives Siticable the coveted cable crown in the city, garnering it more than two-thirds of Kolkata’s cable TV market. RPG’s decision to exit the cable TV business could not have come at a better time for the media tycoon who has all the while been looking to strengthen his nationwide distribution network.

The fast paced events in this takeover story do suggest some political intervention. Buddhadeb’s government did not disguise its discomfort at the prospect of the takeover of ICN by Kalanidhi Maran’s Sun Networks, who makes no bones about his own political links. In fact, Sun had been trying to buy out ICN since February. It appears that Writer’s Building had conveyed to SitiCable officials its preference for the Zee group over Sun. See this in light of the recent visit of the Zee boss to meet the chief minister with a bagful of promises for Bengal. It appears that the CM responded in a favorable manner. So who gets the ‘Shabaash’ now?

dilipcherian@hotmail.com