Kolkata, April 5, 2002: ITC has now brought the `Wills Lifestyle’
experience to Kolkata with the opening of its `Wills Lifestyle’ store at the
crossing of Camac Street and Shakespeare Sarani today. The store was inaugurated by ITC
Chairman Y C Deveshwar in the presence of a large gathering. With this launch, ITC has 41 `Wills
Lifestyle’ stores in 34 cities across the country. The opening of this
world-class store brings ITC’s premium `Wills Sport’ brand of relaxed
wear to its home city - offering the fashion-conscious public of Kolkata the Spring
Summer 2002 Collection in all its infinite variety.
The `Wills Sport’ range of
branded premium apparel, marketed exclusively through the `Wills Lifestyle’
stores was first launched in Delhi on July 15, 2000. Within a year, the brand spread out
nationally in metros and mini-metros across India. At the prestigious Images Fashion
Awards 2001 (IFA 2001), the `Wills Lifestyle’ chain won the award for ‘The
Most Admired Retail Chain of the Year’ and the `Wills Sport’ brand
for ‘The Most Admired Brand Launch of the Year’.
The opening of the first premium
showroom in Delhi heralded the launch of ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business
Division (LRBD), a strategically planned initiative to leverage the Company’s
proven competencies in brand building, hospitality and countrywide distribution. In
recognition of ITC Chairman Y C Deveshwar’s contribution in leading this retail
initiative, ‘The Retail Visionary of the Year’ award was conferred on him
at the IFA 2001.
Commenting on ITC’s plans in the
Lifestyle Retailing business after inaugurating the Kolkata store, Mr Deveshwar said, ``We
are nurturing the `Wills’ trademark to be a clear leader in premium lifestyle
retailing in India. Over time, we aspire to position it as a leading Indian international
brand with a significant global presence. In fulfilling this vision, ITC aims to make a
major contribution to the fibre-to-fashion value chain in India to enhance international
competitiveness.’’
At the launch of the `Wills Sport’
range of apparel in July 2000, Mr Deveshwar had clearly outlined the LRBD vision:
"ITC plans to establish `Wills Sport’ as an international quality,
premium full range wardrobe brand for men and women, constituting relaxed wear for all
occasions. It is aimed at people with an active lifestyle and a relaxed mind.’’
The Kolkata store offers the Spring/Summer
2002 Collection, with 70 styles in unique colours of the season for both men and women. A
wide range of sizes suitable for everybody, specially in-between waist and in-seam sizes -
in a 1500 square feet contemporary chrome and glass retail ambience.
