Murjani Group unveils Strategic Management Structure for its Retail Business

Company News, September 7

MUMBAI

The findings of a recent A C Nielsen study seem to validate the Murjani Group’s India strategy to create a Multi-Brand Retail Platform, with the world’s leading brands. The Murjani Group has already inked exclusive distribution agreements with the likes of Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Calvin Klein, FCUK, TUMI and Build-A-Bear, in addition to others under negotiations.

The online poll of 23,500 consumers in 42 countries, confirmed that Gucci is the most popular brand amongst Indians. In fact, as many as 24 per cent of the Indians polled, showed the same remarkable preference for Gucci.

The A C Nielsen study further emphasized that the fashion brands were a huge rage in India, with as many as 31 percent of Indians buying designer clothes to ‘uplift one’s social status’. Furthermore, the study went on to reveal that it was the upper middle class in India that were getting increasingly brand conscious. Thus, with high street fashion now coming out of the five star deluxe hotels, Indians with greater discretionary incomes are making their tryst with these premium brands.

The Murjani Group plans to build a strong portfolio of major international brands, to address diverse market segments, including Luxury, Premium and Specialty. The first, to launch a lifestyle designer brand in India- Tommy Hilfiger, the Murjani Group is now uniquely poised to chart new territory in Indian brand development. In an effort to map the territory, Murjani is also putting in place, a strong management team of professionals to nurture and build each market segment, into a market leader.

The Murjani Group, is now busy crafting the organizational structure in an effort to institutionalize its business operations in India. The first amongst the high profile appointments made by the group, is Mr. Pradeep Mansukhani, ex CEO (sales and manufacturing), Marico Industries who joins the Murjani Group as its Chief Operating Officer. Vikram Raizada, Vice President, Marketing, communications and Digital, MTV Networks has also come aboard as the Marketing Head of the Luxury Division, handling brands such as GUCCI and Jimmy Choo.

Other key personnel having joined the Murjani Group are Ms. Ananda Kara, Business Head – Gucci, Mr. Dhiresh Sharma, Business Head – French Connection and Mr. Indranil Chakroborty, Business Head – Build-a-Bear.

Commenting on the spate of recent appointments, Mr. Mohan Murjani, Chairman, Murjani Group said, “Building brands is not only our strength, it is our passion. Murjani for over 40 years is perhaps the only Indian Family, to have successfully developed, launched and built major, international Designer brands. To build a great business, it needs great people. To build a strong organization, it needs a strong foundation - its people. Today, we are in the process of building a world class retail and marketing organization, consisting of uniquely talented professionals. We firmly believe, that putting a formal organizational structure in place, is perhaps the foremost and most critical element and key, towards achieving our business goals. I am particularly proud of our outstanding team of talented individuals, who will bring valuable perspective to the Group, through world class professionalism and integrity, to better serve the needs of our customers. Having led some of the country’s leading business houses like, Marico, MTV Networks, etc. the induction of Pradeep Mansukhani, Vikram Raizada and the other talented and experienced professionals in the Group, will lend additional strength to Murjani’s resolve of becoming the most admired professional group, in the retail sector”.

Mr. Vijay Murjani, Managing Director, Murjani Group said, “We feel very fortunate that, within a relatively short period of time, we have been able to put together the foundation for a wonderful team in India. There is no doubt in our minds that a critical factor for the vision of our Group to become a reality, is the strength and ability of the professionals within our organization. The joining of Pradeep Mansukhani (as COO) and Vikram Raizada (as Marketing Head – Luxury Brands), along with some key Business Heads, is a major step in the right direction.”

The high profile appointments at key positions will steer the Murjani Group operations in terms of thought process, leadership and brand positioning. Murjani’s extensive, international knowledge of the brands, markets and customers, will be instrumental in developing great business opportunities for the Group. This will ensure further focus on global business strategies and developing strategic alliances to facilitate the Group's growth.

After having successfully developed and launched some of the most recognised international designer lifestyle brands in the world, the India strategy for Murjani, has revolved around the creation of a Multi-Brand Retail Platform, with world renowned, premier international brands.

With the organizational structure in place, the Murjani Group has taken steps in the right direction of strengthening its leadership position in the retail sector.

For further information please contact:

Percy Dubash / Sonia Kulkarni/Ratnadeep Sur - Adfactors Public Relations Pvt. Ltd

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