Interview with Mr Kewalchand P Jain,

Pleasure for me too!

During this span of 30 years, with increase in population and rising income levels, readymade garments has seen robust growth with more consumers preferring to have ready-to-wear instead of ready-to-stitch. With international brands entering into Indian market in early nineties and revolution in media of mass communication there is increasing trend for branded apparels against private labels. Around 85% of apparel market is in unorganized sector and only 15% is organized. With rising education standards, income levels and increase in number of youngsters, I forsee a great potential for branded apparel market in India.

Kewal Kiran has always thrust on continuous creations, innovations, product development, visual merchandising, advertisement campaigns in pace with fashion trends and on strong foundation of financial strength.

Historically, it is the women’s wear that has been the focus of the markets. The men’s wardrobe had been limited. However with information explosion of the late 70s, and the changing economic environment, the variety in the men’s wardrobe has considerably increased. Since the late 80s, western wear for women has become an acceptable wear for the college students and newer professions that have emerged in our country.Now with the increasing demand for men’s wear there is an increase in the demand for branded women’s wear. Fashion changes every season and this fashion changes with the consumer demands. While the branded men’s apparel market is at an advanced state of organized business, the womens apparel market in our country is growing faster. The change in pattern is more due to adoption of modern western wear with the demands of the roles and professions. With the increase in number of working women and rising income levels and cultural shift in favour of western outfits due to information media, now there is increasing trend for women branded apparels.

For good quality, Indian products are more competitive than Chinese products. It is only for low value items, China is cheaper than India. Undeniably, there is lot of scope of improvement in infrastructures, state of art technology equipment and conducive government policies.

K-Lounge is a retail chain concept entailing area of 800-1200 Sq ft, which showcases and markets all the products of all the brands of KKCL. Going forward after having wide recognition and greater popularity, K-Lounge stores may be scaled up as mega K-Lounge stores akin to department stores.

Offering high quality branded fashion apparels and life style accessories at competitive price through memorable customer experience has been key marketing strategy.

There is vast difference in climatic conditions between USA. and India. Due to low temperature in USA, consumption is higher as compared to India. Further per capita income is lower in India as compared to USA., hence major Indian customers are value buyers and as a result realization per garment is lower in India.

All our four brands, KILLER, Lawman Pg3, Integriti and Easies are owned by the Company, unlike other international players where it is owned by their parent Company outside India they have to incur licence fee. KKCL owns over 2 lakhs sq ft of manufacturing facilities spreaded at Daman, Vapi, Goregaon and Vapi. Our per garment financial cost is lower due to less leveraging and offer low cost entrepreneurship. All these factors contribute in optimizing the product cost and ward off any competition.

The market size is huge and all competent players have enough space to expand. However KKCL has always believed in profitable and sustainable growth, hence market all our branded apparels at a price point which is commercially viable irrespective of peer group. It is not possible to sell at low price while working in organized sector where cost of full compliance is also to be endured. We choose to withdraw from competition instead of price war, which in long run has proved a beneficial strategy.

'Fashion is Passion' and brand creation is like nurturing an Oak tree, you plant it today and wait for at least 2-3 decades for lucrative outcome. One should be financially very strong and with deep pockets, if wants to grow faster. This is important that one should not diversify in other unrelated businesses and plough back resources for developing the brand. This is of paramount importance that one should remain fully occupied for development of one’s branding business and have patience for reaping the fruits.

Branding is a science and not simply commerce. At KKCL, we always strive for product development through research and development and market innovations for ensuring customer satisfaction and memorable experience. Presently we target mid-upper segment, in future we shall further scale up innovations, creations, visual merchandising, advertisement campaigns by employing higher resources.

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