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United Breweries plans to import range of lifestyle products into India 

Kavita K Bhaskaran  
New Delhi, Jan 29: Liquor major, United Breweries is planning to import a range of lifestyle products into the country and market them through luxury retail outlets.

The company will invest around Rs 200 crore for setting up these outlets across major cities under the McDowell brand name.

The company will be importing international brands of tobacco, perfumes, personal products, wine, liqueurs, spirits and champagne among other things.

Speaking to The Financial Express, UB group chairman Vijay Mallya said" "We will be importing a host of products that support life style." "In the wake of lifting of quantitative restrictions, we have decided to set up a chain of high-end luxury life-style stores which will sell these products", he said.

The retail outlets will be set up under McDowell International. The retail outlets will also market the UB range of wine and spirits.

The company plans to set up a dozen such life-style outlets within the next six months. These outlets will be based in major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad and Chandigarh.

The McDowell & Co Ltd managing director Vijay K Rekhi said, "we have a concept where we want a superstore that will cover all aspects of drinking and lifestyle. Besides our range of products and the international brands of wine and spirits the retail outlets will sell an array of accessories". International brands of cigars and cigarettes will be also be available at these outlets.

It will also sell an entire range of food including cheese, caviar and dry fruits. Each outlet will have a restaurant too. The company is also planning to introduce a range of casual wear and formal wear in the country. Mr Mallya said, "we plan to bring in top of the line international brand of clothing into the country. But we will have our own McDowell range of clothing too."

Mr Rekhi said our retail outlets will be luxury concept stores that will have five capsules that cater to the needs of luxury and life-style. Each store will be set up at prime locality with a minimum space of 10,000 square feet.

He said McDowell International has a philosophy where we want to offer consumers a basket choice of domestic and imported liquor. According to him the company is currently working on importing wines from Argentina, France, Australia, Chile, Italy, South Africa and bottled in origin scotches, cognac, vodka, bourbons, Canadian whisky, tequilas, Marie Brizard, liqueurs, Aperitifs and Vermouth.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.

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