Plenty in store

For a company that’s into fast-moving consumer goods and pharmaceuticals, retail would appear a logical extension— particularly when you look at the kind of format Dabur India is rolling out.

The Rs 2,400-crore company plans to set up a chain of 300-400 retail outlets across the country, through its wholly-owned subsidiary H&B Stores. These outlets will be founded on the health and beauty platform, and branded “newu.”

They’re modelled on foreign health and beauty retailers like Boots and Walgreens, and will sell pharmaceutical and overthe-counter products as well as other items such as health, food, confectionery, personal and baby care products, along with general merchandise.

Says newu CEO Peter Baker: “Our business model is evolving and dynamic. We are very much on track to establish our pan-India footprint of retail stores and intend to open 350 stores by 2010.”