|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
'Salusala Connexion' for discerning buyers 'Salusala Connexion', the latest concept in retail marketing, will be launched in Kandy next month. It will be modelled on the one-stop-shop concept where everything from clothing to shoes and accessories can be purchased under one roof. "To make this a reality, we hand-picked market leaders like Velona, Triumph, Sinwa, Metro and Fashion Folks as our partners," said Salusala Chairman Fazal Hameed. Each partner will be given a separate section to display and sell their products while Salusala will specialise in handlooms and traditional products, he added. All partners will train the staff manning their counters. The Salusala Connexion will be launched in Kandy in mid-September while the Colombo launch in Kollupitiya will be at the end of the month. The investment for the refurbishment of these two showrooms is Rs. 1.3 million and Rs. 3.8 million respectively. Next in line are Galle and Matara. "Under the partnership which spans for three years, promotions will be held together with our partners. This will definitely benefit all of us in the long run," added Hameed. The Connexion will operate on a profit-sharing basis and each partner will give Salusala between 20-25 per cent of its profits. The retail outlets now employ about 190 people. There are plans to recruit new staff, but preference will be given to Salusala staffers, the Chairman said. He said that working hours at the showrooms will be 10am to 8pm with provision for extended hours during festive seasons. Velona will cater to infants and children upto 10 years while Triumph will sell intimate garments. Three Indian brands of men's clothing - Metro, Genesis and Basics - will be available. The partner for footwear is Sinwa, a pioneer in the Sri Lankan footwear market while the Fashion Folks corner will sell sarees from Rupkali, dress materials and women's garments mostly imported from India and Pakistan. Hameed said they are trying to curtail losses at Salusala, but "it is not easy to recover the past losses". Six hundred and fifty persons have left Salusala under the voluntary retirement scheme while 200 more are due to leave. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
