New Delhi, May 24 : Buoyed by their Indian business doubling in the entry year, international luxury label Aigner has predicted a 25-30 percent growth in business this year which would be pushed through the launch of a new store in Mumbai.

"Between spring-summer 2004 and now, our business here has doubled," Lothar Fischer, director of sales/product (men's fashion) told IANS. "Our men's wear business has particularly done well. Earlier about 20 percent of all products in our stores used to be for men. Now, that has doubled, which is a very positive sign.

"In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised to see a situation like this in India after just one year," said Fischer, who is on his first visit to the country but said he would be back twice every year with the way business is growing.

The company has two shops in Delhi and Mumbai. It is looking to add one more in Mumbai and then planning on another in Bangalore.

"After our new shop in Mumbai, we would be looking south and Bangalore seems to be the best place to be," said Fischer.

Munich-based Aigner is also in talks with Indian Airlines for a major promotion campaign.

"We are in discussions to place our brand in all Indian Airlines planes through things like in-flight catalogues. We already do this with Lufthansa and it could be a great way to promote our accessories like belts, wallets and fragrances," said Fischer.

The brand is also planning to show its Milan fashion week show on screens placed in its shops.

Fischer said compared to competition like Hugo Boss and Bvlgari, Aigner was targeting the slightly older customers. "Hugo Boss, I think, is more about the younger customers," he said. "We are more in the 30 + (years) segment where the business executives prefer things a little sober and with great value for money."

But Fischer also added that the company with the famous horseshoe logo is planning to introduce a younger line hoping to capture India's young population. "We have been planning a younger line especially in countries like India which have a very big population between the ages of 20 and 30."

Started in 1904 by Etienne Aigner, the brand is available in 40 countries.
(IANS)