Speaking to The Financial Express, managing director, CPPL, Venkatesh Sivaraman, said that the company is all set to add `Crocokids' and `Crocoladies' to its existing range of products which includes shirts, jeans, T-shirts, trousers, socks, leather belts and undergarments. The company is currently retailing its products by way of exclusive Crocodile Galleries, Crocodile Corners and Crocodile authorised dealers and super-dealers.

CPPL products, which already have a well established presence in the South and in Maharashtra, will soon be launched in the Eastern region, starting with Calcutta. The launch is planned sometime duringDurga Pooja, in Calcutta. This will be followed by a massive launch in the North sometime in 2000.

Five more exclusive Crocodile Galleries-which will entail an investment of Rs 10-12 lakh each, and will be spread on an area of 500 square feet in a premium location (cost of land will be additional) -- have also been planned by the company. Three Galleries will be opened in the next one month in Mumbai followed by one each in Ahmedabad and Nagpur. Besides housing the company's products, the Galleries will also offer Crocodile accessories. As per an in-house survey conducted by the company on potential cities and towns for opening Crocodile Galleries, around 25 such exclusive showrooms can be opened in the South, six in Mumbai, one each in Pune, Nagpur and Surat and two in Ahmedabad.

CPPL claims that it is giving the Crocodile Gallery franchisee a commitment that he will make a net profit in three years of its operations. The retailers setting up these Galleries can expect an annualised return of 33 per centafter a timeframe of three years, claims the company.

In order to make the Galleries a hit, CPPL adopts a very cautious approach while giving franchise rights. ``These Galleries are aimed at brand building and we want them to be a complete success. Therefore, we study the credentials of the retailers very carefully before giving them franchise rights. We are also promoting our products by stocking them at the multi-brand outlets and at other super-stores,'' added Sivaraman.

For the year ended March 1999, CPPL posted sales of Rs 12 crore, which it to double to Rs 24 crore by the end of the current fiscal. By March 2001, the company is targeting a turnover of Rs 32 to 34 crore.