Retail major Future Value Retail India Ltd is looking at opening 60 more stores in all its three segments, in the next 18 months and taking the total number of retail outlets to 249 in the country, a top official said.

The three segments are Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar and Fashion Bazaar.

Announcing its five-day shopping festival 'Mahabachat' at all stores beginning tomorrow, Joint CEO-Future Value Retail (India) Sadashiv Nayak told reporters that at present, Future Retail has 189 stores, which comprises 134 Big Bazaars, 50 Food Bazaars and five Fashion Bazaars.

We are looking at opening 60 more stores in all three segments, including Big Bazaar in the next 18 months and taking the total number of outlets to 249 in the country, he said.

Retail, which has 11 Big Bazaars, five Food Bazaars and one Fashion Bazaars in Bangalore, is looking at five more towns in Karnataka for expansion, including Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Bellary.

"As far as Big Bazaar is concerned, by the end of this year we are hopeful of achieving a 20 per cent growth over last year", he said.

The fifth edition of five-day shopping bonanza to be on till August 15, will cover all product categories for the entire family, including food, apparel, kitchenware, bed and bath linen, electronics and gold jewellery.