Vishal Retail To Start Food Outlets

When major retailers are banking on the convenience format, north-based Vishal Retail is planning to enter the fast food segment, which the company claims would be the Hindustani version of McDonalds. It will also open destination stores offering FMCG products and services like SPAs and water parks. The company has raised Rs 110 crore from its recently concluded IPO. It plans to have around 100 stores by this year. The big format stores will be on an average between 25,000 - 30,000 sq ft in size and small format will be about 5,000 sq ft. This move by Vishal to diversify into new areas of operation in its retail business is a clear hedge against the risk involved in committing to a single format, also finding foothold in businesses that yield better margins.