PEOPLE to open 700+ stores

PEOPLE, a fashion youth brand, is aiming to open 700+ stores in the next three to five years. The brand presently has over 85 stores across 40 cities.

On its expansion plans, Abhay Bahungune, Brand Head, PEOPLE, says: “For us, franchising is not just an operational exercise but a strategic business pillar. We aim to open 700+ stores across identified geographies in the next three to five years.”

“Such rapid and complex growth definitely requires local expertise to be successful. This expertise can be brought in by franchisees. We are looking at franchisees as our local partners, who would help us build the brand in local markets and communities and be our partners in growth,” he adds further.

The brand is expanding with a cluster-based approach where they select a particular geography and saturate it before moving on to other geographies. Moving ahead, PEOPLE hopes to double its stores and cross the mark of 150 stores in this FY (2014-15).

PEOPLE, which was launched in 2008, is a one-stop destination for the latest international trends. It offers latest trends in casual shirts, tees, tops, kurtas, fusion tops, jeans and winterwear for men, women and kids through its range. Accessories complementing the clothes such as bags and scarves are also offered by the brand.