Simba Toys plans to set up 25 stores in India

With a view to tap the enormous potential in the over Rs 1,700-crore Indian toy industry, Germany’s Simba Dickie group plans to set up 25 franchise stores across the country, a top company official has said.

“The Indian toy market is evolving and we want to tap this huge potential. We plan to set up 25 franchise stores across the country over the next six months,” company’s Chief Executive Officer (India, Middle East and North Africa) Ben Nabert told PTI here.

The company, which entered the Indian market in September 2009, has already launched two global franchise stores in Bangalore and Mumbai to sell its toys.

“Simba will add two more stores in Delhi and one in Bangalore shortly,” he said.

The company has appointed Exelixi Management Pvt Ltd as its master franchisee for retail expansion plans. Simba also plans to set up a manufacturing facility in the country, he said.

“In order to establish ourselves firmly in the country, we plan to set up a manufacturing facility here.

However, it will not be our own factory but we will tie-up with a local partner for the same. We are still in the process of negotiations but we expect to set it up in the next six months,” Nabert said.

The facility will initially be manufacturing ‘board games’. However, Nabert refused to divulge any investment details.

Simba also plans to get local licence for some of the games including the ‘Spider-Man’ “We are watching for the right license,” he said.