BRUMBY'S INVESTIGATES INDIA AS PART OF ASIAN PLANS

Leading Australian and New Zealand franchise operator Brumby's will inspect the rapidly growing Indian retail market next week as it investigates the expansion of its 300 store chain into Asia.

Brumby's managing director Michael Sherlock and general manager Steve Brown will be part of a five day Austrade retail mission which will include visits to key markets including New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

"It is impossible to overestimate the potential that India offers especially when you consider that more than 200 large shopping malls are being planned or are currently under construction,'' Mr Sherlock said.

"That is a far cry from when I first went traveled through India 30 years ago as a hippy with a pony-tail.

"Franchising has now become a significant growth driver in the consumer food service market in India and it important that Brumby's consider this region when framing its own expansion plans into Asia.

"What is especially tempting is that India is now among the top three countries with the highest number of people with spending capabilities in the important 25-to-48 years age bracket.''

While in India, Mr Sherlock and Mr Brown will attend the KSA Retail Suimmit on New Delhi - India's pre-eminent retail industry event.

With a population of more than 1.2 billion, India represents an important component of Australia's current and future trade.

Home to the largest number of English speakers in the world, India boasts strong economic growth, a large and growing middle class, rapidly expanding infrastructure and improving service culture.