RETAIL ROUNDUP

RELIANCE RETAIL PLANS 4,000  NEW STORES IN 4 YEARS
Reliance Retail has mega plans for the next 4 years. The Mukesh Ambani promoted retail chain plans to open 3,000-4,000 stores across its 19 formats, in addition to the existing 1,000 stores. Reliance Retail currently operates 19 formats, some of which are Reliance Fresh, Timeout, Trendz, Jewels and Digital.  The company also aims at a growth rate of not less than 100% for the financial year 2010-11.
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BHARTI RETAIL GOES WEST
According to sources, Bharti retail is planning its first hypermarket in Mumbai. The 60,000 sq,ft store is planned at the Neptune Magnet mall in Bhandup and is expected to open in the 1st quarter of 2011. It is additionally planning another 20  stores in Mumbai, Pune and Nanded. To service these stores, a Distribution Centre is planned on the Mumbai-Pune highway.
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RELIANCE RETAIL TO ENTER CASH-AND-CARRY BUSINESS
Cash and Carry in retail is the flavour of the day. Reliance too plans to jump on the bandwagon with 3 new stores in the next 6 to 8 months. Reliance is going solo on this - no foreign partner of joint venture. The stores are planned to be in 1.5 lakh sq ft in size.
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MOBILESTORE TO ADD 700 OUTLETS
Mobilestore today is 1200 stores strong spread across 200 cities with a 45% market share in organised telecom retail. It is now planning to add another 700 outlets in the next 6 months. 200 stores are in process and another 100 in the pipeline. In tier 2 and tier 3 towns, the company is adopting the franchise model which will help add around 500 stores. Mobilestore will also be financially involved in these franchised outlets.Mobilestores are owned by the Essar Group.
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METRO NOW EYES PUNJAB
Metro Cash & Carry is now extending its reach into Punjab after operations in Karnataka, AP, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Metro opened it's 2nd outlet in Hydrabad on 23rd September.  The Punjab operations of the wholesale retailer are expected to be operational in 2011 with an investment of Rs 2400 Million.
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