The document discusses 7 ways to maintain a centurion brand as shared by Milan and Asim Dalal from Bombay Store, a 108-year-old Indian brand. The 7 ways are: 1) Keep up with trends, 2) Continuously innovate, 3) Mix old with new, 4) Find reasons to bring customers back, 5) Go to customers, 6) Stay true to values, and 7) Give back. Bombay Store is recognized for blending contemporary and traditional Indian art forms and techniques in lifestyle products. Milan and Asim Dalal provide leadership to the brand as Chairman and Managing Director respectively.

1. 7 ways of Maintaining
a Centurion Brand
Milan Dalal
Asim Dalal
(This article first appeared in the DNA on Dec 1st 2014)

2. 7 ways of Maintaining
a Centurion Brand
• Milan Dalal and Asim Dalal, the head honchos of the
Bombay Store, in their interview with the DNA have
shared their experience of managing a centurion brand
• The108-year-old brand has been through ups and downs,
relevant to changing consumers and trends
• Subsequent slides discuss the seven ways in which a
Centurion Brand not only be kept relevant, but also stay
on top of prevailing consumer interests and style trends

3. 1. Keep up with Trends
Change the format regularly
Watch competition
Embrace new technologies
Refresh the way the brand delivers on service
without compromising on core values.

4. 2. Continuously Innovate
Ensure the
customer is
surprised every time
he walks into your
space
Energise yo
ur product
lines
Refresh your
offerings
Displays, merchandise
and being relevant to
customer is important.

5. 3. Mix Old with the New
• A known face, a known line mixed with young blood
on the floor and eclectic products helps keeps the
balance and address all types of customers. Read data
and ensure your classic lines stay – so customers
know that they can rely on you.

6. 4. Find Reasons to Bring Your Customer Back
• Increase promotions, events, loyalty programmes
• Know customers through increasing feedback
gathering mechanism

7. 5. Go to your customer
Ensure your store
is near where your
customer is now
shopping
Make it easy to
choose your
brand -- be it
airport, malls,
high street or
more
Choose vantage
locations for your
store

8. 6. Stay true to your values
• Give importance to value based business
• At Bombay Store the value is still the same as it was
108 years before – ‘Made in India’

9. 7. Give back
A brand should support
quality and fair price
It has to stand for its
product partners and
artisans who are involved
in product making

10. About Bombay Store
• The Bombay Store is one of the oldest and most recognized popular
shopping destination for lifestyle products that are a perfect blend of
contemporary and traditional techniques and art forms.
• The broad categories that The Bombay Store offers are: Artefacts,
Home Décor, Fashion Accessories and Wellness.

11. Milan Dalal
• Chairman of the Dalal group of companies
• Chairman of Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd. since July 28, 2006
• Elder son of Bhupendra Dalal who is the founder of the Dalal group
• Holds a degree of Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Mumbai
• Has been instrumental in changing the system of active reporting in the company to make it
transparent and effective

12. Asim Dalal
• Managing Director of Bombay Stores since April, 1994
• Joined Bombay Stores as Director in October, 1991
• Graduate from the Sydenham College, Mumbai. Diploma in Financial Management from the London
University and attended the summer school at the London school of Economics ( LSE )
• Responsibilities include expansion, business development and financial planning
• Responsible in raising funds for expansion from an angel investor group in 2007/8