Future Group sees bright future in private brands biz

MUMBAI:
Competition in the private brands segment, especially in the snacks and personal
care, is set to intensify with the Future Group planning a slew of launches by
next month coinciding with the onset of the festival season when consumer spends
are likely to rise.

The Kishore Biyani-led group plans to retail
products such as jams, pasta and Chinese noodles under its Tasty Treat brand and
sanitary napkins under Caremate, through its pan-India network of Food Bazaar,
Big bazaar, KB’s and Aadhaar chains.

“We plan a series of launches by
next month in the personal-care and snacks categories. These would be jams,
pasta and Chinese noodles under our Tasty Treat brand and sanitary napkins under
Caremate,” Future Group’s Business Head (Brands), Devendra Chawla, said in
Mumbai.

The private brands, currently contribute about 20-25 per cent
of the company’s food business and the target is to increase it to 30 per cent
over the next 18-months, he said.

Last fiscal, Future Group recorded
a total turnover of Rs 10,000-crore, of which retail contributed around Rs
7,000-crore. Of this, the food business’ contribution was around 40-45 per
cent.