Bombay Swadeshi Stores ltd –BSSL [ 531276 ] is not a classic stock { packed with value but underpriced.}
The company was formed by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak exactly 100 years back as a stationery retailer .The present management headed by Asim Dalal [ 63% stake ] started the 1st store in its current format 11 yrs back.
BSSL is a niche retailer [ there is a uniqueness about the products and shopping experience they provide ]and operate under ‘The Bombay Store’ brand. They have 2 stores in Mumbai [ PM Road, Fort & Airport ] , Bangalore [ MG Road] , Pune [ MG Road ] & hyderabad – Banjara hills – franchisee outlet.
They retail Home Accessories [ Artefacts, ethnique lamps & shades, candle & candle stands, table & kitchen ware], Personal Care [ Aroma therapy, Herbal skin & hare care],
Fashion Accessories [ jewellery, leather & travel accessories] , Apparel, Soft furnishings & handmade stationery.
The products are very different from what one finds in any other large store selling similar products & have a traditional Indian / ethnique feel .
Foreigners contribute nearly 35% to the sales. The client profile is premium & average spend high.
The company says that it plans to set up stores in Chennai, Calcutta and plan to have 20 stores [ owned / franchised ] by 2010. The co will need to raise funds to implement this plan.
current equity is 63 lakhs, 06 sales were : 24 cr, OP : 2.4 cr & NP : 34 lakhs.
concerns:
- Mgmt has as of now not been able to scale up operations despite being an early starter [ 95 ]
- Asim’s dalal’s father was one of the brokers named in the Harshad scam.
- the stock is very very illiquid
What I like about this stock:
- The Opportunity & potential is huge .
- Virtually every 3rd foreigner who comes to the cities where The Bombay Store is present has it as a ‘must visit & shop’ place.
- The brand pull amongst the high end shoppers is tremendous.
- @ current price of 245 , market cap is 15 cr
- take over by a large operator / fresh funds etc can take the stock into a different orbit.
welcome comments / view from everyone.
jayendra