Hilfiger to have watches, furnishings on shelf too  ( October '29,2003, ET)

Tommy Hilfiger, it figures, has more in store for the fashion conscious Indian consumer than mere shirts and trousers. While the alliance with Arvind Brands to launch apparel has already been announced, what has been kept under wraps are its plans to adorn the Indian wrist with watches, and homes with its range of furnishings. For the brand conscious there is also a range of inner wear on the anvil.

The highly successful, $6-billion American apparel brand is set to make a big splash in the Indian market early next year — around March — with the launch of an entire range of its products. An NRI, Mohan Murjani, holds the license for Tommy Hilfiger in India. A 50:50 joint venture between Murjani’s Ganesh and the Lalbhai Group ( which owns Arvind Brands) will launch Tommy Hilfiger apparel in India. Mr Mohan Murjani’s son, Mr Vijay Murjani is spearheading the India launch of the brand.

Murjanis are said to be in talks with India’s leading watch maker, Titan Industries, for the launch of Tommy Hilfiger watches in the country. It will also launch home furnishings and innerwear (industry parlance for under-garments) in association with Indian partners.

When contacted, Mr Vijay Murjani, declined to elaborate on Tommy Hilfiger’s India strategy saying, “we are in talks with a few people.We haven’t finalised all our plans. We will make a formal announcement closer to the launch date.”

Titan officials were also tight-lipped about the alliance with Tommy Hilfiger. It is thought that the company will make Tommy Hilfiger watches under license for sale in the Indian market. Tommy Hilfiger apparel - shirts, trousers - are expected to hit the Indian market in Spring/Summer 2004. Arvind Brands plans to open eight exclusive Tommy Hilfiger stores in the country to market this range. The trousers are expected to be priced between Rs 2000/4000.

Tommy Hilfiger has been one of the most successful brands to hit the apparel and fashion industry in the last decade. The company and its subsidiaries offer men’s and women’s sportswear, jeanswear and children’s wear. Through strategic licensing agreements, it offers related apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrance, and home furnishings.