Arvind Ltd is India’s largest textile company and operates across the entire value chain from design to fabric to brands. Arvind was the first company in India to bring international brands when they bought Arrow to India. The company has licensing relationships with many international brands like Arrow, GANT & US Polo. The company owns and operates 93 outlet strong value chain under the name ’Megamart’. 
J Suresh, CEO of Brands & Retail Division of Arvind Mills Limited joined Arvind Group in Sept 2005 & over the last three years has transformed the division into a significant contributor to Arvind Group results. He is an MBA from IIM Bangalore & an Engineering graduate from Madras University. Prior to joining Arvind, Suresh has working experience of 22 yrs of which 18 yrs were with Hindustan Unilever (erstwhile HLL). During his stint in HUL, he handled a number of Sales & Marketing assignments and was Heading Sales function of the Rs15bn Beverages Business at the time of leaving. He was also the member of the Management Committee of the Foods Business. After leaving HUL, he joined MTR Foods as its Chief Executive. Speaking to Yash Ved of India Infoline, J Suresh says, “In the last two years, we have expanded our network very rapidly and quite substantially into smaller towns.”
Tell us about the launch of Megamart outlet centre?
We have launched the second Megamart outlet centre in Pune spread over an area of 50,000 to 60,000 sq ft .The new store, located at Dapodi, near CME, Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, will now offer customers a better value shopping experience. The Pune outlet centre has more offerings as compared to the first Megamart outlet centre in Chennai. It will have a gamut of categories including men, women and kids wear, accessories, luggage , footwear from leading brands such as Allen Solly, Adidas, Arrow, Citizen, Color Plus, Lee, Wrangler, Levis, Nike, Park Avenue, Reebok, Scullers and Van Heusen. The outlet centre also has a multi-cuisine food court with St. Marche and Café Coffee Day among others.
Brief us about your expansion plans?
We are expanding into Tier-II, Tier-III and Tier-IV cities. In the last two years, we have expanded our network very rapidly and quite substantially into smaller towns. Megamart plans to establish more than 250 large and small formal stores across the country. Over the next 3 to 4 years, we would look at around 25 to 30 Megamart Outlet centres in top cities at an investment of over US$100mn.
What kind of revenue are you expecting over the next four years?
We are expecting revenues of around Rs20bn by 2012 from our retail business.
Tell us about your partnership with Oracle?
Megamart has made sizeable investment in information technology. It has partnered with Oracle Retail for an integrated scalable platform from supply chain to stores. This will help the company to increase its inventory turns and improve its forecast accuracy. It is the first value retailer in the country to invest in high-end IT-solution, when it has adopted RETEK, the ERP solution to strengthen its IT backbone. The deployment would take place in three phases, spread across 24 months, and will comprise five modules – merchandise management, pricing, inventory, in-store, and planning.
Brief us about your financials?
The sales for the quarter are up by 6% at Rs.54.5mn as against Rs.51.5mn in the corresponding quarter last financial year. The net profit was down by 35% at Rs.40mn compared to Rs.60mn in the corresponding quarter previous financial year. For the branded apparel and retail business, the sales grew by 35% and PBIT stood at Rs.63mn as compared to a loss during the corresponding quarter last financial year. | 
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