Tata group firm Titan is looking to have around 20-30 stores of its jewellery brand Tanishq in the Gulf and North American markets in the next 2-3 years its Managing Director C K Venkataraman said on Thursday. The company is targeting the widely spread Indian diaspora in the region and is going to open its first Tanishq store in the US in September. It plans more stores in the North American market and the West Asia region.

For the domestic market, Titan is "positive" about the coming festive season and expects 15-20 per cent consolidated sales growth over the previous year, he added. "Now everyone is more confident about life and if we look at the statistics of last two years, the Indian households have saved substantial amounts because of not spending money during the pandemic," Venkataraman told PTI. There is a feeling of wealth and people have cash with them and the festive season would provide them with an opportunity to spend, Venkataraman added. When asked about growth he said, "In 2021 Diwali, we have grown over the pre-pandemic period of 2019. This year, it would be 15-20 per cent higher (overall) than that."

Over the overseas expansion of Tanishq, Venkataraman said that Titan has already opened some stores in the gulf region such as Dubai and is opening a new one in Abu Dhabi. "We are also opening in some other countries of the Middle East. We are opening our first store in the US market next month and we are planning many more stores in North America in the next 2-3 years," he said adding "We have very very big ambitions for Tanishq in the Gulf Countries and North America."

When asked about the number, he said, "We would have round 20 to 30 stores in the next 2-3 years." The company may also take some other brands such as Taneira, under which it sells Indian ethnic wear such as saree. "Once we go there and it becomes a familiar market, we will think about it," he added. Titan, a JV between Tata Group and Tamilnadu Industrial Development (TIDCO), owns the popular jewellery brand Tanishq. For the financial year ended on March 31, 2022, its jewellery division contributed over 88 per cent of its total net sales of Rs 27,456 crore.

According to Venkataraman, Titan is catering to the various price points in the jewellery segment through its brands. Earlier in May this year, Titan said it is aiming for a growth of 2.5 times in its jewellery business in the next five years. "We have a portfolio of brands to start with. We have Mia by Tanishq and Caratlane for young women and then Tanishq, which is a known brand. Zoya is for luxury," he said. Venkataraman further said, "Even within Tanishq we have price points starting from few grams products as finger rings to coins, and then customised products pricing in crores also." Products are customised by looking at the location of the store and the catchment area as ethnicity and income level etc.

The company on Thursday rolled out the 'Titan Shaurya' initiative. Under this its products across all brand categories, would be made accessible to The Indian Armed Forces at special offers reserved exclusively for all serving and Retired Armed Forces including their dependents.
 

The above picture features CK Venkataraman, MD, Titan Company.

News courtesy to economic times.com and photo credit to thehindubusinessline.com, Bijoy Ghosh.