Dabur is reviewing its retail blueprint. The company, which forayed into retail through its health & beauty stores New-U just a couple of months ago, has slowed down its expansion plans.

Instead of the 40-50 stores, Dabur was planning to launch by FY'09, the company now says it will only launch 15-20 stores this fiscal. Dabur has opened six New-U stores to date, and we learn the company is also looking at reducing the size of its new stores.

Earlier the minimum store area was estimated to be about 1500 sq ft and the maximum 6000 sq ft. But now CNBC-TV18 learns, the company could even open stores with an area of about 700 sq ft.

Analysts say the company is reviewing its retail venture due to poor performance, and competition. But the company says it is experimenting with various formats to understand the market. It also admits it could look at reviewing its   retail model. In earlier interviews to the media, the Ceo' of Dabur’s health and beauty stores Peter Baker said the company was targeting retail space of 75,000 sq ft and looking at opening 50 stores in 2008-09, and 160 by 2009-10. Broking house Religare, after its meeting with the Dabur management says the company will launch 10 stores in FY09 and 45 stores in FY10.

Dabur says its plans have not changed on account of inflationary pressures, but it is the latest after retail and the AV Birla group to change its retail strategy .