Stock Synopsis: RJ Corp-Bottling plants,Coffee shops and Disney

RJ Corp has signed an exclusive master franchisee agreement with Disney Consumer Products to source and market Disney character branded items through speciality stores — Disney Artists.

"We plan to invest Rs 80-100 crore over the next five years in opening 150 Disney Artists stores," said Mr Ravi Jaipuria, Chairman, RJ Corp. The company will initially open five stores in Delhi and Mumbai and finally open a total of 15 stores within the first year. The stores will sell a variety of products, including greeting cards, stationary, arts and crafts, and party products. "Through Disney Artists we will be able to expand our scope into the kids-led family business, taking advantage of the global brand of Disney as well as our established network in the fastest growing market segment," Mr Jaipuria added.

The Group will also be the exclusive licensee to source and market arts and crafts merchandise under the Disney Artists brand for wholesale in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.

Commenting on the tie-up, the Walt Disney India, Managing Director, Mr Rajat Jain, said it was a part of the company's plans to set up speciality stores to exploit the retail potential of India.

"In the times to come, there may be more specialty stores on the Disney consumer products segment," Mr Jain said, adding that the company had also opened Disney Jeans store dealing in denim trousers, bags and shoes, with a different partner, in keeping with the set objective.

2. PEPSI BOTTLING-- RJ CORP IS LEADING BOTTLER FOR PEPSI IN INDIA

3. COSTA COFFEE..THE HOT THING

RJ Corp, the Rs 1200 crore group in diversified areas of food and beverage, education, hospitality, and real estate, is eyeing a joint venture with Belgium-based beer manufacturers, Inbev, which is at the finalistaion stage.

''The 50:50 joint venture is at its finalisation stage. The business will be based in Delhi but cover whole of the country,'' RJ Corp Chairman Ravi Jaipuria told UNI.

He, however, denied to divulge further details saying its too early to disclose further details.

Earlier this week, the group announced its foray into the healthcare space with a joint venture with US-based Cryobanks International, besides pumping in Rs 100 crore in 18 months to set up seven cord blood stem cell storage facilities across India.

On being asked about the group's other initiatives in the healhcare segment, Mr Jaipuria said, it might venture into nurses training institutions.

RJ Corp will also invest Rs 150 crore in the next three years for adding 300 franchisee Costa Coffee outlets all over the country.

Last year, it inked a franchise agreement with UK's Whitbread for opening the outlets.

The group is also increasing its invetments in real estate and hotel business by adding 10 more hotels to their existing hotels in Delhi and NCR.

The group also owns an Ice cream brand Cream Bell, under its technical tie-up with France's Candia