Levi's to add 800 stores by 2011

MUMBAI: International jeans brand Levi's Strauss is planning to add 800 stores across India by 2011, a top company official has said.

"Presently, we have around 160 stores and we will double the number every year for the next three to four years," Levi's Strauss (India) Pvt Ltd's Director (Marketing) Shyam Sukhramani said on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week.

The company launched four collections for the show - Levi's Collectibles, Blue, Vintage Clothing and Red.
 
Sukhramani said Levi's collectibles hold a lot of inspiration from the time jeans came into existence around 150 years back.

Commenting on fashion shows, he said young designers who participated had tremendous talent and their collections could be showcased globally.

Levi's is also sponsoring a project called Gen next, "We will go to the best fashion schools in India and select around 12 designers, out of which the best will design for the company for 2008 fashion show," he said.

Presently, Levi's has around 14 flagship stores in India and the plan is to add another 10 by next year, including one in Mumbai in December this year, Sukhramani said.

The company also plans to expand the Icon stores.

"Presently we have one Icon store in Bangalore and we plan to have another four to five stores in metros by next year," he said.