'MORE' plans more

Aditya Birla Group to have 2200 stores

The Aditya Birla Group promoted 'More' chain of supermarkets and 'More Mega' hypermarkets has plans to have 2200 stores by 2015 There are currently 640 supermarket stores in operation which is expected to rise to 720 by end of 2010. The hypermarket count too will go up to 8 to 10 during this time.

The group had rapidly expanded to 710 since the last 3 years of operation but shut down 70 enviable stores recently. In 2006, the group had acquired 'Trinethra' with its 176 stores and is now present in 12 states and around 75 cities.

The group has also been aggressive on its private label policy and over 350 SKU's in food and home products. Some of the store's own brands are 'Kitchen's Promise' and 'Best of India' in food and contribute to 4 - 5 % of revenue.

The retail venture is expected to turn profitable in 5 to 6 years