BWI: Stag & Victor to Expand Retail Presence via Planet Sports

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: STAG International
Thursday, April 28, 2011 04:40 PM IST (11:10 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, People, Sports; Business: Retailers, Sports
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Stag & Victor to Expand Retail Presence via Planet Sports


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, April 28, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Stag, one of the most recognized brands in table tennis and Victor, the global leader in badminton shuttles and the no.1 badminton brand in Europe are expanding retail presence in India via Planet Sports. Planet Sports, India's largest multi-brand sports and lifestyle specialty retail chain, is the flagship format of Pantaloon Retail India Limited- Sports division. The partnership calls for popularizing the world-class product line of Stag in table tennis and of Victor in badminton across 15 states in India riding on Planet Sports' wide retail network.

This strategic initiative predominantly aims at promoting Stag and Victor product lines, by jointly administering their merchandise distribution through Planet Sports in order to offer best experience to the customer through effective management of shelf and floor space, better visual merchandising and company promoters.

Victor is distributed in India by Stag International, one of India's leading manufacturer, supplier and exporter of sports goods and equipment. Stag is the global market leader in table tennis tables and sponsors 23 states and 40+ international table tennis teams. The company exports sports goods to 152 countries. Victor, on the other hand has proven itself to be an industry leader in the innovation and manufacturing of badminton racquets and is the world leader in badminton shuttles.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Raman Kwatra, Business Head for Victor at Stag International said, "As leaders in our respective market categories, it is fitting for Planet Sports and both Stag & Victor to work together to improve the ways customers engage with superior products, services and support. Since Planet sports is well equipped to manage and address customer needs throughout the country, we believe that this power and convenience will strengthen Stag and Victor's position, availability and visibility in India. The popularity and reach of Planet Sports gives Stag and Victor even broader exposure to a growing base of consumers. Through this partnership we also aim to spread the sport of badminton and make it even more popular in the country."

The agreement is an important part of Stag and Victor's brand building and market development strategies. Over the years, customers have clearly shown a propensity to purchase sports equipments through retail, and hence this collaboration will create a benchmark for both the companies to provide consumers a broad selection of high-quality products.

Furthermore, Mr. Ravdeep Singh, CEO, Planet Sports commented, "We are delighted to associate with Stag and Victor in India. Planet Sports consumers now have more to choose from our widened basket of Sports Equipment. This association is yet another initiative from us to bring the best in sports equipment to our consumers. We are sure they will like the quality equipment, and a robust end-user support service from Stag and Victor."

As, Victor and Stag look at entrenching in the Indian market and easily getting a stronger hold, the access to about 40 outlets of Planet Sports in more than 15 states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal, MP, etc., will provide the brands the much sought after leap in availability geographically.

About Victor:

Founded in 1968, Victor is world's leading sports equipment brand. It originated as a manufacturer of shuttles, led by Dengli Chen and commands the Global market leader position today. Victor has proven itself to be an industry leader in the innovation and manufacturing of badminton racquets. Today, VICTOR is the world's second largest brand in badminton equipment. VICTOR has established a benchmark in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Europe, the United States and other Asian countries by introducing the latest and most advanced badminton equipment including shuttlecocks, racquets, clothing, accessories, etc.

Victor has been a proud sponsor of some of the sport's most elite personalities including world and Olympic champions like Lee Yong Dae, Chen Hong, Gao Ling, Wei Yili, Zhang Jiwen, Yang Wei. Internationally Victor also sponsors many of the leading badminton teams in the world including the Korean, Philippines and Taiwanese national teams.

About STAG International

Stag is a leading sports goods company, serving more than 152 countries. The most "Exported" brand of sports goods from India, STAG has the highest exports of Table Tennis equipment and is amongst the top 10 Exporters of Sports Goods from India.

A leader in the table tennis table market, approved by ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation), STAG has an unmatched global exposure and experience to represent leading International Sports and Fitness brands for the Indian Market.

STAG will bring international innovative brands like milon-Germany's # 1 Fitness brand based on circuit training, Tunturi (European market leader in Fitness - Personal / Commercial Use) and Victor - a global leader in badminton to India this year. STAG also has association with some of the esteemed people of the sports fraternity: Mr. Peter Karlsson, 5 Times World Table Tennis Champion and European Champion and Mr. Kamlesh Mehta, Arjuna Awardee and Olympian National Coach & Selector as the Brand Ambassadors.

About Planet Sports

Planet Sports, flagship format of Pantaloon Retail India Limited-Sports division, is the country's largest multi-brand sports lifestyle retail chain with over 80 specialty stores, spread across 30 cities. As a licensee and distributor, Planet Sports has the largest collection of International sports & lifestyle brands such as Converse, Speedo, Wilson, Skechers, Salomon, Reebok, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Spalding and Spunk, to name a few. The stores have extensive offerings for Lifestyle products as well as Sportswear and Equipment across all categories of Swimming & Water Sports, Tennis, Squash, Outdoor, Adventure Sports, Running, Training, Golf, Fitness, Basketball, and Motorsport. Planet Sports have recently introduced Sports Superstore concept in India, spread over 30,000 Sq Ft at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.



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KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, PEOPLE, SPORTS, RETAIL

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