The new stores are being set up with an estimated investment of Rs 13 crore. The amount will be spent on the property on lease, renovation costs and working capital of the two stores. ``The stores are being designed to be modern and international in terms of look and layout.The store in Delhi is being planned by an international store designer along with our retail design and planning team,'' informs BS Nagesh, CEO Shoppers' Stop Private Limited.The chain intends to have high technology front-end and back-end systems installed in Delhi. The store will also throw open the First Citizen's Club (FCC) to customers in Delhi. The FCC is Shoppers' Stop's unique relationship marketing programme which works by offering privileged shopping experience to its members.

Although not too many details are revealed, a major marketing and promotion splash is in the offing. ``As this is our first, venture in the North, we definitely have major launch plans for the opening of the stores,'' says Nagesh.

Over the next three years, the retail chain is looking at expanding into smaller towns in a big way. Next on the list is a foray into Pune and Ahmedabad. Shoppers' Stop plans to touch the Rs 1,000-crore mark by 2004, with stores in 12 locations.

Currently, an ERP implementation is underwayat Shoppers' Stop. Further, owing to the recent accreditation to the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores, Shoppers' Stop will now be in a position to tap technical know how from 36 other members stores such as the UK-based Selfridges and Karstadt of Germany.