With government allowing up to 100% FDI in single-brand retail, the market buzz is ripe about Walt Disney charting the India route with plans of setting up wholly-owned merchandise outlets.
Sources said Walt Disney has plans to set up stores in five cities under its brand name ?Disnep? which will be retailing its full range of merchandise and apparel for kids, youth and adults. Disnep outlets are present across Europe and the US.
According to sources in the retail industry, the American marquee brand has conducted a recce in the Indian market ahead of its prospective entry. However, Alannah Hall-Smith, a spokesperson from Disney (US) in an email said, ?The Walt Disney Company India has no immediate plans for Disney Stores in India.?
But market sources said otherwise. According to one source in the retail business, Walt Disney is contemplating the move to set shop in India, but is little slow due to a rider pertaining to a government rule of mandatory sourcing of 30% of raw material from Indian small and medium scale industries. ?And this is a common concern shared by many retailers,? the source said.
At present, Big Bazaar, India?s leading and largest retail hypermarket chain, has an exclusive tie-up with Disney Consumer Products (DCP) to retail the kids popular Power Rangers? and Disney Princess range of merchandise including apparel, toys, books, bags, bed linen and other accessories.
Under the licensing agreement, Big Bazaar has set up special Disney Corners (shop-in-shop) within their stores across the country to house extensive and exclusive range of Power Rangers? and Disney Princess merchandise.