One of the leading luggage makers, US-based Samsonite Corporation is to run two internationally formatted retail stores in Kathmandu.

"With the intention of making Samsonite products available at a reasonable price in the Nepali market and after the overwhelmingly positive customer response in the past one and a half year made us go in for such stores, said Ramesh Tainwala, chief operating officer, Samsonite South Asia at press meet here on Saturday.

In 2000, the company started its operation in Nepal under Samsonite Nepal and has now around 60 per cent share value in the market and 15 retail outlets in the major cities throughout the country. “Among more than 3000 assortments of Samsonite, 86 are exclusive to the Nepali market,” said country manager-Nepal, RK Jain.

Tainwala also announced the formal launch of two new Samsonite’s product—American Tourister and Cruisair in the Nepali market on the occasion. “Samsonite products are not only reliable; they are also extremely durable with a very competitive price,” he claimed.

Tainwala also informed that Samsonite Nepal is planning to set up of a state-of-art manufacturing plant in Terai, in order to expand its market to the northern and eastern part of India as well.