Ethnic apparel retail chain FabIndia is embarking on a pan-India expansion to take its total number of stores from 78 to 250 by 2010, which could entail an investment of around Rs 200 crore. By next year, the company plans to open 80 new stores at an estimated investment of Rs 70 crore. The company, which runs in partnership with its suppliers (artisans from villages), has already started operating 18 community-owned companies and another 23 are likely to be operational in the next 24 months. Oz fitness chain entering India New Delhi: Australia-based women healthclub chain Fernwood plans to enter the Indian market within a year and is scouting for local partners. “The idea is to get into an equal joint venture with an Indian partners (and) operate here mainly through franchise route,” Fernwood Fitness CEO Stephan Herzog said. The company is likely to piggyback on a real estate developer, setting up 60 fitness centres across 35 major cities in India, Herzog said. India is amongst four international markets where Fernwood is planning to expand. Welspun may sell retail ventureNew Delhi: Goenka-promoted Welspun Group is planning to hive off its retail venture ‘Welspun Retail’ by next fiscal, as it prepares for a pan-India footprint. The company, retailing home furnishing through two format stores ‘WelHome’ and ‘Spaces, is planning to set up 370 new sales points pan-India by 2010, said Welspun Retail director Dipali Goenka. Welspun would also roll out international home decor brands Christie’s of UK and Portugese.
