Shweta Khanna
NEW DELHI: The Casio has been in India for a long time and is now looking at
expanding its distribution network through the IT channel to sell its IT
products. The company is extensively exploring various options to expand its IT
channel presence in India. Right now, it is looking at choosing the cream layer
of IT channel partners to explore business prospects.
Casio India has three product categories in India-watches, consumer
information products (digital diaries) and IT products (pocket PCs, electronics
cash registers and digital cameras). Out of this, it would like to use the
conventional IT channels for its IT products to increase their pull in the
market.
Till now Casio has been using various exclusive retail outlets and multibrand
outlets to sell these products, but now it wants to grab a bigger market share
through the conventional IT channels. Explained Kulbhushan Seth, chief manager
(Marketing Planning), Casio India Company Ltd, "Casio already has a strong
brand equity, now we want to increase the availability of the products. Our
products are practical, technically strong and economically viable. The price
performance factor is excellent with our products. With good service
infrastructure and excellent performance we can capture the market
extensively."
Speaking about the features of its recently launched Pocket PC, he said,
"It is unique, first it is priced very competitively and secondly its
features are unmatched in India that has no competition. It is one of the latest
models that we have introduced abroad." He is looking at creating a huge
pull in the market by employing additional distribution from the IT channels.
This product has huge margins as compared to other IT products and is backed by
technical support of Casio. Seth is targeting corporates, youths and technocrats
for its pocket PCs. "Right now we have been able to successfully sell a
considerable number of our new pocket PC."
Casio's digital cameras are also technically advanced. The digital cameras
range from highly professional models to beginner models, which enjoy the same
world class features. For its digital cameras range, the company is targeting
Government sector (Defense ministry majorly), banking sector, professional
photographers, news agencies and insurance sector right now.
Seth is looking at selling at least 300 to 400 pocket PCs every month and 400
to 500 digital cameras every month in the coming quarter. This number would
shoot up steeply once the conventional IT channels would be employed, he pointed
out.