Witco, the South India based premium retail chain of stores for luggage and travel accessories, has repositioned itself from ‘The Luggage Expert’ to ‘Travel in Style’. Witco has charted out an aggressive plan to become a national player and open 50 stores across the country in the next 2-3 years with an estimated investment of Rs 40 crore.
Witco has recently launched its third store in Bangalore. The retail chain claims to enjoy 60 per cent market share in Chennai and has a strong presence with 12 multi-brand outlets in South India.
Elaborating on the company’s expansion plans, VP Harris, Managing Director, Witco India, said, “With the growing Indian economy and an increased propensity to spend, preference of an urban traveller has become more luxurious and sophisticated. The scene in luggage retail industry has become greener, which ensures substantial yield to our investment.”
Harris added, “Innovation has been the key in shaping the global luggage industry into a lifestyle segment. Demand for high quality luggage and accessories has been stimulated with the introduction of wheeled and lightweight products, casual luggage lines, the emerging need for lifestyle products such as backpacks, sports bags and computer cases.”
Witco (India) Pvt Ltd was founded in 1951 by the late MPC Mohamed with a vision to be the country’s leading retailer in travel requisites in the premium segment. Witco has established itself as a multi-brand retail chain with expertise in travel luggage needs and accessories. It has 11 outlets in South India – Chennai and Bangalore.
CAROLA LONG writes:Lumpen rucksacks, gym bags and boring black nylon cases offer further proof that the golden age of travel is about as "over" as a pair of kitten heels. However, while cheap functionality might still prevail when it comes to luggage, among style- conscious travellers there is a growing interest in finding cases and accessories that combine efficiency with aesthetics.
The chic globetrotter's primary strategy in fusing fashion and function is to switch to hand luggage. Jon Crossick, the retail director of 51 Degrees North – the travel concession at Harrods – says that carry-on sales "have gone through the roof... our top-selling pieces are all carry-on, and people tend to choose the biggest case they can." He attributes the escalation to the relaxation of the hand-baggage rules – British Airways now allows a case and a handbag, though some other airlines still limit passengers to just one case – fears about lost belongings, and the fact that some budget airlines have introduced charges for checked-in luggage.
Chic trolleys include Anya Hindmarch's grey croc-print and YSL's black Edition 24, while Orla Kiely's car-print leather case for Tripp is a more quirky retro style.
Good, affordable fabric trolleys include Puma's sleek Urban Mobility case, and Bric's turquoise version. Crossick has noticed two distinct trends in terms of look: lightweight cases in polycarbonate, and more retro shapes and materials. At Prada, there have been "brisk sales" in leather suitcases, a revival of traditional structured cases and a trend for matching luggage sets. For example, Globetrotter Orient sells really well."
Victoria Abbott is fashion adviser at John Lewis, where the personal shopping service offers packing and holiday-wardrobe advice.
* Streamlining
Folding Ray-Bans or Persol sunglasses, and folding Pretty Ballerinas pumps also save space.
* How to pack
Place a suit jacket, button-side up, at the base of the case, place other items on top, then fold the top of the jacket over the other clothes again, like a sandwich, folding the arms back over the jacket. T-shirts etc should be tightly rolled not folded, and shoes always go against the hard back of the case. A trolley or trunk-style case is best for keeping clothes neat. * Beauty essentials
John Lewis does clear plastic make-up bags that meet EU travel regulations for liquids, and miniature products.
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