French men’s apparel brand, Celio is planning to invest Rs 15 crore in the current financial year ending January 2011, to expand its presence across India. The brand recently opened a new store at Ampa Skywalk in Chennai. The new store, spread over 1,400 sq. ft. would showcase Celio’s collection of business, casual and sportswear for men. The brand has a presence in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi with standalone stores and across the country in shop-in-shops.

Specialists in men’s ready-to-wear, Celio offers its customers trousers, shirts, sweaters, T-shirts, polo-shirts, suits, jackets, belts, ties and boxer shorts. According to Rajat Luthra, CEO, Celio Future Fashion, the brand is planned to open a new store in Hyderabad and two more in Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Pune. At present it has 42 shop-in-shops and 10 standalone stores. It plans to add another 30 shop-in-shops and 15 standalone stores in the current financial year. So far Celio has invested Rs 25 crore and its aiming to achieve a turnover of Rs 50 crore by 2011.

Founded in 1978, by Marc and Laurent Grossman, today Celio is a market leader in men’s ready to wear clothing in France. In India it has a joint venture with the Future Group. The brand is retailed through exclusive brand outlets and select stores of Pantaloons and Central.