Future Group

Pantaloon Retail is the flagship enterprise of the Future Group, with a
presence across multiple lines of business. The company owns and
manages multiple retail formats that cater to a wide cross-section of
Indian society. Headquartered in Mumbai (Bombay), the company
operates through four million square feet of retail space, has over 140
stores across 32 cities in India and employs over 14,000 people. The
company registered a turnover of Rs 2,019 crore for FY 2005-06.
Pantaloon Retail forayed into retail in 1997 with the launching of its
fashion retail chain, Pantaloons in Kolkata. In 2001, it launched Big
Bazaar, a hypermarket chain. This was followed by Food Bazaar, a
food and grocery chain. Next up was Central, a first of its kind located
in the heart of major Indian cities. Some of its other formats include,
Collection i (home improvement products), E-Zone (consumer
electronics), Depot (books, music, gifts and stationary), aLL (a Little
Larger, fashion apparel for plus-size individuals), Shoe Factory
(footwear) and Blue Sky (fashion accessories). It has recently
launched its e-business venture, futurebazaar.com. The group's
subsidiary companies include, Home Solutions Retail India Ltd,
Pantaloon Industries Ltd, Galaxy Entertainment and Indus League
Clothing. The group also has joint venture companies with a number
of partners including French retailer Etam group, Lee Cooper, Manipal
Healthcare, Talwalkar's, Gini & Jony and Liberty Shoes. Planet Retail,
a group company owns the franchisee of international brands like
Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Next and Guess in India.