Monday, March 12, 2007

Future Capital invests Rs. 20 crores in Biba Apparels

Future Capital, the financial arm of the Future Group, has picked up a minority stake in Mumbai-based Biba Apparels Private Limited for Rs. 20 crores, reportedly in the range of 7-15%. The investment is learnt to be in the form of convertible debentures. Biba Apparels retails ethnic women’s wear at multi-brand outlets like Shoppers’ Stop and Lifestyle and at 42 Biba exclusive outlets in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Biba’s projected revenues for the current fiscal are about Rs. 60 crores. It plans to expand in the national capital region (NCR), Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Surat and Kolkata.

Biba has tied up with the Dubai-based retailer Lulu for its overseas foray. The apparel retailer plans to open 20 Biba outlets in Dubai in the next three months, for which it is in the process of identifying locations and getting its label registered. It is also learnt to be in talks with Reliance Retail for supplying a value apparel brand, priced lower than Biba.

Future Capital manages the private equity fund, Indivision Capital, and real estate funds Kshitij and Horizon. Apart from the investment in Biba Apparels, Future Capital also has some small real estate investments. Indivision had recently invested Rs. 50 crores in health and wellness chain VLCC and earlier picked up a 26% stake in construction firm BE Billimoria.

Read the article in The Economic Times.

No comments: