'Looking to invest in 8 to 10 strong brands, build portfolio in 2-3 years'

Kolkata-based fast-moving consumer goods firm Emami on Saturday said it would buy the balance 49.6 per cent stake in Helios Lifestyle Pvt Ltd, the owner of men's grooming brand The Man Company, giving it complete ownership. In an interview in Kolkata, Emami Vice- chairman and Managing Director HARSHA V AGARWAL takes Ishita Ayan Dutt through the plans to make The Man Company a ₹1,000 crore brand, and the focus going ahead. Edited excerpts:

How do you plan to scale up The Man Company?

The brand has good potential. Last year, we ended up with a top line of around 180 crore and in the next three years we can reach 500 crore. The broader idea is to make it a ₹1,000 crore brand in 5-6 years.

Are there any plans to take it international?

There is scope and potential.But our focus will be more on the domestic market-that is where we see a lot of growth because men's grooming is an under-penetrated category. There is also a clear gap of a strong brand that stands for leadership in the men's grooming category and that is where The Man Company has a strong role to play.

Are you focusing on acquisitions in the D2C space?

We are focusing on new-age omnichannel brands that may be digital-first where ecommerce might be the way to enter the market. Ultimately, all brands, heritage or new-age, have to be omnichannel.