A kaleidoscope of colours & opportunities

A well known and very well accepted ethnic wear brand, BIBA has won the hearts of Indian woman with its affordable fashion. The brand is expanding pan-India and plans to add another 75 stores by next financial year. We spoke to Siddharth Bindra, Managing Director, BIBA and asked him about opportunities for investors and other strategies.

Tell us about BIBA. How was it started?

BIBA, a synonym for pretty woman in Punjabi, is a home grown ethnic wear brand, started by Meena Bindra from her house in Bombay with a partly sum of eight thousand, way back in 1988. Soon, the brand started spreading its wings in and around the city as the product’s styling and beautiful hand block prints started getting fantastic response from the local communities, including many filmstars as well. The retail revolution in the country gave the brand the desired recognition and an opportunity to grow across the country. Symbolising the strength and the spirit of today’s woman, BIBA today is the most loved ethnic wear brand in the country. With a prime objective of providing trend setting and fashionable Indian attire at an affordable price, BIBA products are available in all three categories of SKD (Salwar Kameez Dupatta), M&M (Mix & Match) and Unstitched Fabric. 

Biba, the designer way ( Make Box)

The popular demand from its avid patrons, led the company to introduce BIBA Girls, a dedicated range for kids between 2 to 12 years. With an aim to tap the burgeoning premium ethnic and bridal wear segment in the country, BIBA joined hands with designers- Manish Arora; by taking up 51% stake in ‘Indian by Manish Arora’ brand in 2012 and recently acquired a substantial minority stake in the designer label- Anju Modi. Biba also collaborated with Rohit Bal and launched a collection ‘BIBA by Rohit Bal,’ that is retailed at select BIBA stores.

What about the franchise opportunities for investors?

For BIBA we have only 10-15% of our stores as franchised but we definitely seek franchisees for our brand Rangriti. Franchise route will be apt here.  If we open a BIBA store via franchise route anytime sooner, it will be at an exceptional location altogether.

Your current presence.

BIBA products are available through 172 stores in 65 cities, apart from presence in all the major retail chains in the country like Shopper’s Stop, Lifestyle, Pantaloons and Central.

Do you have immediate plans of further categorisation as well?

In terms of having more categories, BIBA does not have any immediate plans of further categorisation. As of now, it plans to focus all the energies into their basic women category and the BIBA girls which caters to young girls.