India’s Hidesign plans Asian expansion

Indian leather retailer Hidesign plans to open flagship stores at Singapore’s Changi airport and in Indonesia as it eyes an Asia-wide footprint.

At home, Hidesign plans 12 new stores in the next two months in cities including Goa, Kolkata, Indore, Jaipur, Varanasi and Lucknow.

The New Delhi-based company, which has been operating for 40 years, has also recently opened in Sarajevo, Bosnia adding to a global network which includes South Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and the Czech Republic. It is also planning boutiques in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Kuwait later this year.

Chairman Dilip Kapur says the company wants to become a more viable brand internationally.

“Our immediate focus is to expand our luxury range Atelier Hidesign – made from ostrich and deer leather – starting at ₹30,000 (US$428) by adding new colours and designs to the existing women’s range and launching men’s collection.”

Hidesign expects turnover to grow by about 30 per cent year.

“Our growth is led by new stores as well as e-commerce platforms where consumers from several big and small cities now have access to Hidesign. Discounted products online are also one reason that consumers are buying Hidesign online,” Kapur said.

Hidesign has 84 standalone stores in India and shops in 14 international and domestic Indian airport stores.