Clarks India to increase its store count to 150 in five years

British brand Clarks is planning to more than double its store number over the next five years. At the moment, it has 60 outlets and hopes to take it up to 150 within five years. The brand hopes to achieve this through a mix of company-owned and franchise stores.

For Clarks, India is a strategic market and it looks at expanding here by opening up in Tier II and III cities, where it feels demand is growing. Clarks will continue to open outlets in smaller towns and cities either through franchise or its own retail ntework. Lokesh Mishra, Vice President, sales and operations, Clarks India points out that "emerging markets are a core strategic focus for Clarks in India". He plans to expand the franchise base to introduce the brand to smaller cities.

Clarks India opened its first exclusive outlet in New Delhi’s Connaught Place in April 2011. Within a span of almost five years, it has opened 60 stores, including 20 franchise outlets. Clarks is present in 35 cities including Jaipur, Pune, Amritsar, Coimbatore and internationally counts over 1,400 stores.