| Type | Fashion |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Products | Ladieswear, Menswear, Kidswear, Homewear, Sports, Delight, Perfume & Cosmetics, Books & Music, Shoes and Handbags, Jewellery, Luggage, Food, Stationary, Gift Wrap and Souvenirs |
| Website | http://www.odel.lk/ |
ODEL is Sri Lanka's first example of a retailing company. Starting out as a single company, focusing on the retail garment trade, ODEL has over the years developed and become the first department store in Sri Lanka.
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Odel has a short history.... It started off when Otara Gunewardene began selling merchandise from the boot of her car to family and friends.
Otara Gunewardene founded Odel Private Limited in 1990.[1] The company opened its first store on Dickman's road and currently operates ten outlets in Sri Lanka. It has had Recent IPO
Odel's main outlet store is located at No 5, Alexandra Road, Colombo 7. It is also the company's flagship store which positions itself as Harrods/ Selfridges have done in London and C.K. Tangs in Singapore – not just a department store but also a tourist destination. The ODEL main outlet, launched in 1999, is becoming comparable to international department stores in any fashion capital. This complex is the only department store in Sri Lanka, spanning 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2). The buildings' architecture is a combination of colonial grandeur interspersed with glass and glistening metal, contrasted with an abundance of plants.
The ODEL Warehouse is at Dickman's Road, Col 5. Located at the site where the first outlet was opened, this store is a retail warehouse, where customers can purchase discontinued items at discounted prices.
ODEL at 1-29, Majestic City – Bambalapitiya, Col 4 sells a range of clothes and fashion accessories. The outlet has been in operation for more than a decade.
This latest addition to ODEL's profile is located in the Departure/Transit Lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport. Created as a part of an initiative in conjunction with the Airport Expansion Project, the ODEL Departures Store offers an opportunity to all departing passengers to shop before leaving the island.
From an initial staff of 2, Odel now employs more than 430. They also provide indirect employment of more than 500. Odel's product mix contains more than 1,500 different items, with a majority of those sourced locally. Odel works with more than 1000 suppliers, and over 300 factories. Apart from retail, the Odel company involves itself in wholesale/ export of garments to countries such as the Maldives, the Middle East, and Europe.
ODEL recently re-launched its main outlet as Sri Lanka's first department store.
It was an event to launch the new Embark collection[2]. Dogs, especially stray dogs took to the catwalk with the Super Models in Sri Lanka among whom were Bianca Pahathkumbura, Chulpadmendra Kumarapathirana, Muthu Imehsa, Rochelle Correa and Rozelle Plunkett.