In the attractive growth of toy industry in india with lavishing investments of over Rs 1700 crore, Germany’s Simba Dickie group plans to set up 25 franchise stores across the country, according to a top company official.

“The Indian toy market is evolving and we want to tap this huge potential. We plan to set up 25 franchise stores across the country over the next six months,” company’s Chief Executive Officer (India, Middle East and North Africa) Ben Nabert told PTI.
The company has already stepped into Indian market in September 2009 and with that launched two global franchise stores in Bangalore and Mumbai offering toys.

“Simba will introduce two more stores in Delhi and one in Bangalore shortly,” he said.

The company has appointed Exelixi Management Pvt Ltd as its master franchisee for retail expansion plans. Simba also plans to set up a manufacturing facility in the country, he said.

“In order to establish ourselves firmly in the country, we plan to set up a manufacturing facility here.

However, it will not be our own factory but we will tie-up with a local partner for the same. We are still in the process of negotiations but we expect to set it up in the next six months,” Nabert said.

The facility will initially be manufacturing ‘board games’. However, Nabert refused to disclose any investment details.
Simba also plans to get local licence for some of the games including the ‘Spider-Man’ “We are watching for the right license,” he said.