Toon Kidz to expand, foray into chocolates

Childrens' apparel and accessories maker Toon Kidz is planning to launch its own range of chocolates by the end of this year that would be sold through its exclusive retail outlets.

''We will probably be launching the chocolate range around Christmas or New Year. While the production of the chocolate will be outsourced, the range will bear our own brand name,'' Toon Kidz regional manager (north) Vineet Mishra said in New Delhi on Saturday.

The company is also undertaking an expansion of its retail chain, with plans to have 100 outlets across the country by the end of this year.

Mishra said the new range would include chocolate and assorted toffees in various flavours, which would be sold across the company's outlets along with its apparel, accessories, footwear and PC games ranges.

''We have fixed a target of 100 outlets in the major Tier I and II cities for this year. The funding for the expansion will be mostly made by our franchise partners, while we will put money on brand promotion and brand building,'' Mishra said, without giving further details.

Toon Kidz operates 17 franchise operated outlets across the country and is also a licensee manufacturer of apparels based on characters from kids TV channels Cartoon Network, Pogo and Space Toon.