Italian luggage major Roncato made its India debut on Friday, and will take on international brands like Samsonite and Delsey in the country. The 50 million Euro company is 50 years old and has its presence in Taiwan, Korea and China, apart from Italy. The brand is being licensed by Elite Brands in India, who is investing about Rs 15 crore in real estate and about a crore in brand building. Roncato produces hard (PP-polypropylene, ABS), soft (polyester, nylon) and leather luggage range of which 60% of the hard (PP) and the entire leather range is produced in Italy, 40% of the hard (ABS) in Taiwan and about 90% of the soft range in Vietnam, Taiwan, China and Korea.
?At present, we are looking at India and Russia and are also considering partial productions in India in a year or so,? said Cristiano Roncato, managing director, Valigeria Roncato.
Roncato exclusive brand stores will be present in all premium malls in the metros, mini metros and tier I cities. It plans to open four stores in metros to start with, and take it to 10 by 2008. Targeting the premium lifestyle category, the brand will face tough competition from other international brands in India. Says Ramesh Rath, chief executive officer, Elite Brands, ?Samsonite has vacated the premium market since it is looking at the super premium market. Delsey, on the other hand, doesn?t have a single brand store.?