Kishore Biyani - 'International Retailer of the Year'

Pantaloon - Forms Joint Venture With Staples

Pantaloon group has done proud to the Indian retail industry. Kishore Biyani, head of India's largest retail group Pantaloon was honoured with the International Retailer of the Year Award by the US National Retail Federation at its annual convention. American retail industry registers a whooping 4.5 trillion dollars of annual sales. It’s for the first time that an Indian retail group has made to the top.

“I think what we have to learn from the US is how consumption can drive our economic growth,” said Pantaloon Retail MD Kishore Biyani adding that the US market is all about thinking big in terms of technology and consumerism. Though Biyani declined to comment on reports of a tie-up with American coffee chain Starbucks, but said that he expects an Indian store to open by June this year. He ruled out a partnership with fast-food chain Burger King. “Our job is to keep on meeting people. But I don't think so there's anything happening that side,” said Biyani. “Pantaloon is focused on giving the customer exactly what they want. They will sell in whatever format is needed, from food to electronics to high fashion apparel. And they really are a good example to all the other retailers who come here to learn,” said Karen Knobloch Senior VP, National Retail Federation.

Pantaloon Retail India Ltd has also informed BSE that Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) on January 17, 2007 has announced a joint venture with the Company and its new office products business unit, Future Office. The agreement establishes a platform for Staples to enter the $10 billion office products market in India and allows the Company to benefit from the industry expertise and sourcing network of the world’s largest office products Company.

"As Staples expands globally, India represents a great opportunity for the Company," said Ron Sargent, Staples chairman and chief executive officer. "This partnership combines Pantaloon’s local business knowledge and leading brand with Staples’ best practices and global procurement strength. Staples looks forward to working with the Pantaloon team on this joint venture."

"The office products business in India presents tremendous opportunities for growth," said Kishore Biyani, the Company's Managing Director and chief executive officer. "Through our partnership with Staples, the industry leader, we can become the office products provider of choice for businesses throughout India."

Staples Future Office will serve businesses of all sizes through delivery as well as cash-and-carry locations, offering a wide range of office products from core office supplies to printers to computers. Future Office, which recently acquired B-to-B online office products Company Officedge, will expand its delivery operations to include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore and Chandigarh.