V-Mart Retail raises Rs 400 cr via QIP; management says will look at accelerated expansion

“We want to now get into little more accelerated mode of expansion. We have also been growing at more than 20% at a CAGR level and we would want to accelerate the rate of expansion because there is a large opportunity that we feel is available in this market in India,” he said in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

He also said that will use the funds for reaching underpenetrated areas and for digital and omni-channel strategy.

“In the existing states where we are already there, there are some core states where we are very strong and there are also certain states where we are underpenetrated. So, we want to penetrate more into these states, open more stores, as well as bring in digitalization and build in physical infrastructure so that we are able to develop and grow. So, these are things that we are trying to do – trying to develop more of omni strategy and digital strategy so that we are able to provide convenience to our customers even those who are sitting at home,” he said.

He said that expansion-led growth will aid revenue further. However, he expects margins to be impacted by higher input prices.

“We are seeing customers coming back to stores. So we are anticipating a like-for-like growth in this coming year because there is a little less demand for outer wear products. But we are seeing good demand coming from the leisure wear, casual wear, comfort wear, and sportswear. So that is definitely growing. We would see good like-for-like growth as well as expansion-led growth which will also add on to the revenue. So we should see a good healthy growth in this particular year.”

“Margin is going to be a little stressed as this year all the expenses are going to come back to normalcy. The cotton prices are at all-time high, crude prices are also going up which is putting pressure on product prices. So, we are also thinking of taking a little price rise for the customers also. All that included, we should see a similar margin that we have been delivering over the years,” he said.

Agarwal said that the company will continue to be debt-averse and debt-free. He also said that they would need additional fund raise in the next 4-5 years.