Samsonite Celebrates A Century Of Travel

Dec. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- When Jesse Shwayder founded Samsonite in 1910, early travel was reserved for only an exclusive few, those who had the means to see the world. Given this exclusiveness, travel was a high quality experience from the transportation, to the attention to service, to even the accessories used to carry one’s belongings. As one of the original brands in travel, Samsonite has continued to leverage its craftsmanship and heritage as an innovator, to
create unique solutions for the sophisticated traveller.

As a luggage maker, Samsonite has many firsts to its credit.  From the first ever coordinated luggage, the first ever use of metal in luggage ; the first practical business case – Classic Attache, the first ever polypropylene suitcase commonly called hard luggage;  three-digit locking systems;  2-wheeled uprights for easier manouverability;  4-wheel spinners , redefining the way people travel today to its latest innovation cosmolite;  the lightest and sturdiest Samsonite ever;  Samsonite is a slice of world  travel history.
Samsonite markets products under the Samsonite, Samsonite Black Label, Lambertson Truex, American Tourister, Lacoste brands.

SAMSONITE TO LAUNCH ‘SAMSONITE BUSINESS STORES’
In a move all set to redefine the present retail landscape; Samsonite now announces its new venture; about 20 retail stores of Samsonite Business; focusing exclusively on the business travelers. These stores will not be in malls; but in highly visited business zones. “Each store will be 400 to 500 sq feet,” confirmed Subrata Dutta; COO Samsonite Greater Asia.   50% of the retail outlay planned for 2010 is estimated to go into putting up these business stores.


SAMSONITE TO ENTER TIER II & III CITIES
In 2009; Samsonite added 18 cities to its expansion plan and will be expanding to another 12 cities in 2010. While Samsonite will grow via exclusive retail; American Tourister will grow via mass distribution as its clearly aimed at a very different price point. 50% of the retail outlay will support the enhanced retail reach of Samsonite & American Tourister. Revenues of Samsonite India come  60% from Samsonite and 40% from American Tourister. The reason American Tourister does so wel in India is the consuming middle class; which forms a major chunk of the consumers; unlike a skewed demographic economy like China where a bulk of the sales come from the higher end products alone.