Unilever to expand Pond`s store chain

Unilever is planning to have 250 outlets for its recently launched two billion dollar Pond's International brand in india.

It is following the company-retail model whereby it will be investing anywhere between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh per outlet.

The company is already in process of closing a deal with Shoppers' Stop for the same.

Two 100 squarefeet flagship stores are also in the offing inside multi-brand beauty outlets.

"The brand will scale up its product basket from the current 23 skin care units to 32 by the end of the year. By the end of the year, we are planning to set up at least 250 shop-in-shops with skin analysers that are top-of-the-line and not just simple ultra violet ray cameras. Any activity of this kind is cost" , said Ashok Venkatramani, vice-president for skincare products at Hindustan Lever Limited.

The products, priced between Rs 200 and Rs 850, are already available in 40 fine beauty outlets across the country.

In Kolkata, the brand has five outlets and are bringing up two more in the near future.

The company does not have a research and development facility in India currently, although the possibility certainly exists, said Venkatramani.

"The Indian market is maturing fast and the initial response has been very promising. However, currently the issue is addressed comprehensively from offshore centres which are 12 in number," he said.

Currently, Pond's International products are being imported from other Asian countries.

The volume and space the products occupy in the near future will determine whether a manufacturing facility will be brought up in India, he said.

The Pond's International skin care units are targeted at the top end market and at the 20 to 45 age group. It is being projected as a premium range that will, however, be readily available to consumers, said VEnkatramani.

The range consists of age solution, skin lightening and botanical products which are prescribed to customers after their skin types and skin problems are tested by skin technicians at the Pond's International outlets.