DANBURY, CT -- Ethan Allen, a manufacturer and retailer of home furniture, has its eyes on India, Russia and South America and other countries to market its products within the next one to two years.

Farooq Kathwari, CEO of Ethan Allen, told Reuters his company plans to focus on the medium and upper range of its products in India.

"Most likely, it is going to be a joint venture (in India) that would operate its own retail as well as licensees as we have in the United States," Kathwari, an Indian-American said, since India's retail sector is largely closed to foreign firms.

According to Reuters Ethan Allen currently operates in 11 countries including the Philippines, Dubai and China.

Kathwari told Reuters Ethan Allen's goal is to have international sales grow to represent from the current 10 percent to 25 percent of its sales in the next few years.

Posted by Rich Christianson