hen a retailer talks about expansion, it�s usually about the number of stores, reach and size. Seldom does one see a retailer go into expansion mode by staying put geographically. That�s exactly what the world�s largest shirt store (Charagh Din has applied to the Guinness Book of Records to be recognised for its range - 25,000 shirts at any given time - and for the size of the store) has done. Wodehouse Road�s (in Mumbai) famous landmark, Charagh Din - CD as it is popularly known - is one of those rare examples that believe in expansion in depth alone.

The 10,000-sq ft store has four floors and boasts of 25,000 different shirts at any point in time. CD also claims to add 25 new designs to its collection every day. Owner Arjan Daswani acquired the loss-making department store in 1954 and turned it into a complete store for shirts in 1963. Current proprietor Raju Daswani (son of Arjan), however, has his feet planted firmly in the store where business has been growing at 19 per cent annually. Sales of the one-store company, say industry sources, stand at Rs 40 crore. Another interesting fact is that 60 per cent of CD�s sales come from customers outside Mumbai.... more