3 May 2014

TEAM HERALD 

Teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: One of the larger fashion footwear brands in the country made its debut in the state with the inauguration of the Metro shoe showroom in Panjim. This is the first of what could be more showrooms in the state. Sohal Kamdar the CEO of the company said “We will watch the performance of this store and then take a decision. We have shoes in the Rs 900 to Rs 25,000 price range and we also keep bags and other leather accessories”. 

The company he said sourced 70% of the shoes from within the country and the rest from places like Bangkok, Brazil and Vietnam. Khalid Majid, regional manager said “Goa is a rapidly developing location with a sizeable population base that is fashion forward and has a liking for quality branded footwear. Being a tourist spot and attracting a large number of teenagers and families over the year gives Metro Shoes an impetus to target the place and offer all footwear needs under one roof,” said Khalid Majid, regional manager, Metro Shoes.

The newly inaugurated store stocks more than 7,800 pairs of shoes that comprise of formal, casual, sports-wear, and wedding footwear for men, women and children. 

“The Metro Shoes store in Goa has an area of 1100 sqft and will hosts over 100 pairs of new designs every week. Customers are expected to come from nearby areas such as Margao, Panjim, Colva, Calangute, Ponda, Mapusa, Corlim and Ribandadfr to shop for the various exclusive brands stocked at Metro Shoes. This region has a huge demand for casual and formal footwear to cater to and Metro Shoes has kept that in mind” adds Khalid Majid.

At all Metro Shoes stores, the product range is customized to fit local tastes and fashion trends. Men’s shoes are priced from Rs 1090 onwards while ladies’ shoes are priced from Rs 590 onwards. Metro Shoes also houses men’s and women’s accessories such as handbags, wallets, belts and shoe care products ranging from Rs 300 onwards.

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PANJIM: Abbott, one of the largest diversified global healthcare companies in India, announced the launch of its all-new Digene range with ‘Quick Cooling Action’ and enhanced taste profile which provides quick relief from symptoms like acidity, gas, heartburn, bloated stomach and related uneasiness.

The all-new Digene range is now available in four flavors: Mint, Orange, Mixed Fruit and Strawberry across leading chemist and retail outlets in India. It is priced at Re 1 per tablet, and a gel form priced at Rs 71 for a bottle of 170 ml. 

PANJIM: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd declared its consolidated Financial Results for the Quarter ended March 31, 2014 with an increase in Income from operations of 454% (Rs 86.9 crore to Rs 4800 crore), profit before tax of over 467% (Rs 2.2 crore to Rs 12.7crore) and profit after tax of over 470% (Rs 1.4 crore to Rs 8 crore), Vs the corresponding quarter of 2013. 

Q1 2014 (unlike Q1 2013) also integrated the business performance results of Ikya Human Capital Solutions – acquired in May 2013.

Thomas Cook (India) Group, saw strong results delivered via both its strategic investments in Ikya Human Capital Solutions in 2013 on one hand, and healthy performances by its Inbound and Foreign Exchange businesses on the other. Strategic focus via its cash conservation project also resulted in significant increase in free cash flows on an annualised basis.

The Forex business’ strategic focus on Payment Solutions continued to show delivery with the Company’s multi currency Borderless Prepaid Card registering impressive uptake with over 75500 cards sold; a loaded value of USD 250 million. and a market share of approximately 12%, making it the largest non bank player in the space. The recently launched “Incredible India Card” a prepaid rupee value card, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Yes Bank also offers growth potential to the Forex business.  

PANJIM: Acer India, the country’s leading PC vendor, has introduced its latest 3G enabled Iconia W4 tablet on Facebook. The tablet is being launched in India ahead of other countries. 

Recently Acer’s Facebook page recorded a million fans, an important milestone in its social media journey. To celebrate this accomplishment and reward the company’s loyal fan base, the company has introduced a pre-book offer for its fans where they can pre-book their favorite tablet and avail a special offer worth Rs 2999. With the 64GB tablet, consumers can take home the stylish crunch cover worth Rs 2999 free.

Acer has introduced a specially designed app for this offer. To avail the offer, participants can visit the official Facebook page of Acer India www.facebook.com/acerindia, and register their details on the app. Additionally, consumers can also log into the app, participate in an exciting contest to answer questions about the tablet, and stand a chance to win the Iconia W4 3G tablet.

The Windows 8.1 powered tablet, Iconia W4 3G comes with the Generation Intel Atom Quad Core processor, offering faster tablet performance as well as battery life up to 10 hours for web browsing and up to 8 hours for video playback. Packed with pre-installed Microsoft Office Home and Student edition 2013, the tablet also features the IPS and Zero Air Gap technologies that provide enhanced clarity and brightness.

Priced at Rs 29,999 (inclusive of taxes) the Acer Iconia W4 will be available at Croma and Reliance Digital outlets across the country along with other Acer retail outlets, from May 3 onwards.  

PANJIM: VEMB Retail, (a wholly-owned subsidiary of VEMB Lifestyle Pvt Ltd), has hit the Goan market with the foray in the personal care and grooming space with the launch of a new men’s deodorant brand – Rover recently. 

VEMB Retail has entered the personal care business with the launch of six different variants viz, Cryptic, Brisk, Zeal, Greed, Fierce and Bond for men, depicting the different moods of a man. Each deodorant will have a distinct fragrance; from woody aromatic, to sporty, to oriental spicy, aquatic warm, the brand has left no stone unturned to bring out the masculinity of a man. Rover Deo variants are intended to target young consumers in the 18-25 age group, particularly the urban male go-getter. The deodorants will be priced at Rs 180 for a 150ml bottle and will be sold through various channels like Modern Trade, (TESCO Star Bazaar, Health and Glow,  Bharti Easy Day, Dabur New U, Food World, Auchan), General Trade (a pan India distribution network through super stockists, stockists, chemists, general stores) and on the e-commerce platform too through www.menwithin.com.

ROVER Deodorants will excite consumers and bring them closer to the brand by launching a pan India contest – ‘Khula Dhakkan Nikla Hero’ through various mediums. Dabbling in India’s lucrative deodorant segment with a market size pegged at Rs 2000 crore.