Thomas Cook eyes 1,000-strong network by 2010

The company was looking to cement its position in the hinterland in places like Kolhapur with a one-window travel store with a countrywide network as told by Aushutosh Akshikar, TCIL business head. The company, that was itself bought over by Dubai Financial LLC recently, has a mandate for massive growth by the turn of the decade and will do this through further buyouts, investments using profits, and a carefully controlled franchise process.

Post the acquisition of LKP Forex, TCIL now has 145 branches with 1,800 employees and reports overall revenues of Rs 200 crore, up from Rs 160 crore. Globally, TCIL has six offices in Mauritius and four in Sri Lanka. According to Akshikar, TCIL was eyeing at least one more acquisition apart from a strong expansion thrust with a second tier-city approach. "At this point, the most likely prospect for growth lies in tapping uninitiated markets and these can only be penetrated through strong outlet networks. This network cannot be driven solely on the back of TCIL, which has a reasonably strong presence in urban areas but needs to enter the interiors. Our recent acquisition and the next one will achieve this objective. Additionally, we will appoint ‘special agents' who will represent us. We will also franchise the brand selectively to agents in key markets," he says.

This approach marks a significant transition for TCIL to consolidation by the creation of agent networks whose business is not owned by the company but still drives its distribution reach within the country.

Country Club of (India) Limited enters the world of golf

Country Club of India Limited maintaining its streak of explorations and expansions announced its entry to the world of Golf. In a major initiative establishing itself as a leisure infrastructure company, CMD CCIL Mr.Y.Rajeev Reddy announced the launch of five GOLF VILLAGE properties across India, with an investment of 500 hundred crore spread over a period of two years, in a press conference held at The Country Club Crystal Court - Coorg.

CCIL Vice Chairman Mr. Y. Siddharth Reddy announced the celebration of the half Century Mark of properties attained with the franchise network program, which now has established 50 new properties across the Globe under its umbrella. Brand Ambassador Ms.Pooja Bedi & The new COO CCIL Mr. Y. Varun Reddy along with the CCIL members from across the clubs in India were present to feast at the latest addition, COORG to the bouquet of Country Clubs.

The Proposed Golf village venture envisages five golf courses across the metropolitan India. In specific - two in Bangalore, one each in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai at an initial investment of 500 crore upward spread over a period of two years. Australian Major & renowned Golf course Designers 'Pacific Coast Designs ' director George Diakogeorgiou have been assigned to create the state of the art golf courses. " The game of golf tee 'd off here now has entered a new league in the entertainment arena with our proposed plan. The venture offering will retain the hugely popular combination of real estate, Holidaying, and Clubbing experiences adding the exclusive privileges of Golfing " said Mr.Y. Rajeev Reddy CMD CCIL.

Coorg celebrations unfurled at the COORG EXTRAVAGANZA with local fun & gaiety as designer Shilpi Choudhary who recreated the historicity of the very colourful KODAVA clan with a fashion fusion had the audiences enthralled as they traveled back in time. Pooja Bedi was her usual social self as she interacted with the CCIL members, high on the Coorg hospitality and rich heritage enveloped with unparallel natural bounty. Nearly 550 members from clubs spread across India were assembled to enjoy the grand COORG EXTRAVAGANZA, an event that spanned the very colourful COORG history. Its origins to the Greek linage were magnificently represented in all its glory by the models in the traditional Coorgee attire on the ramp. The show then moved on to create a fantastic Fashion fusion adding to the gaiety in air brand ambassador Pooja Bedi was presented with a ' Super cool Golf village Card ' by the CMD CCIL Mr. Y. Rajeev Reddy.

Mr. Kishore Cariappa Director The Country Club Crystal Court franchise welcomed all members to Coorg and presented the vote of thanks on the occasion.

Tesco talks to enter Indian retail market to close Oct 10

"Planning is underway and a team is carrying out extensive research and is testing various models," Bharti chairman and managing director Sunil Mittal told a newspaper.

The daily said the group, which includes India's biggest telecom firm Bharti AirTel, could become a franchisee for Tesco Plc, although the full strategy remained a secret. "We had set a 90-day time frame (for talks) and that ends on October 10," said Mittal.

India has allowed 51 percent foreign direct investment in retail stores that sell only a single brand, such as Reebok and Nokia, while global retail chains like Wal-Mart are still banned from such operations. The firms however can open stores via franchise deals with Indian partners.

The newspaper said Bharti intended to mix large and small outlets as well as hyper-markets and the rollout would start in and around the capital New Delhi and the Punjab city of Ludhiana. Bharti and Tesco already have a business relationship, with the Indian firm supplying the British retailer with fresh produce.

Carrefour all set to enter Indian retail market

The government's dithering on allowing Foreign Direct Investment into the country isn't stopping the foreign retailers to get a slice of the Indian retail pie. Sources have told CNBC-TV18 that the French retailer, Carrefour is tying up with the Dubai-based retail group, Landmark for an Indian foray.

The duo will set up hypermarkets to sell an entire array of food and groceries, FMCG, apparel and electronics. A formal announcement is expected in 3 to 4 weeks.

When contacted, Landmark's director, H Ramnathan said, "We are in talks, but no comments on whether the deal has been finalised."

Currently, Landmark Group operates 10 lifestyle stores and 2 home stores across 5 cities. Last month, it has opened its first Max Retail store in Bangalore selling apparel, accessories and footwear. Landmark has also announced plans to launch hypermarkets and had booked properties in cities like Nagpur.

Sources say, the company will be looking to tap the same space for their French connection. With the hypermarkets that Landmark sets up with Carrefour, it will enter food and grocery retailing, which is the fastest growing segment in India.

'Clara International launches its Beauty Academy

Speaking at the launch function here last night, Anitha Peethumull, proprietrix of 'Salon Vogue,' the Chennai franchise of Clara International, said despite a aboom in the beauty industry in Southern India, it was not growing as fast as it could due to lack of trained professionals.

This was the precise reason why the Clara Group, which had trained more than 50,000 beauty professionals spread over several countries, had decided to open its Beauty Academy in this part of the country.

The academy was aimed at producing trained human resources in the beauty sector by providing global international professional beauty therapy and cosmetology certification and preparing its graduates for other international diplomas.

The courses would be of one month to two years duration after which placements would be provided as beauty advisor, trainer, skin analyst, make up artist or a spa therapist at leading salons.

Anitha said bright candidates would be sent to Malaysia for six months training.

The Academy was inaugurated by Dr K Varadharajan, Chairman, Roever Educational Institution, in the presence of TV Actor Gaurav Kapoor.