HP to expand retail outlets in India

RISHIKESH: Hewlett-Packard India has announced plans to further strengthen the retail business in India, which it acquired as part of Compaq’s merger with itself. HP India Director Imaging and Printing Group Ravi Aggarwal, said that the company would increase the present number of 450 outlets to 1000, that will cover 280 cities in the country by October 2003. These stores will sell the entire range of consumer products that range from PC, notebooks, handhelds and inkjet, desk-jet printers, entry-level laser-jet printers and accessories to all in ones.

Besides, these outlets HP India also plans to open `Concept Stores’ in about eight large cities where the entire range of consumer and commercial products will be demonstrated. "These stores will not have a selling orientation and will provide consumers new ways to experience and enjoy digital imaging," Aggarwal said, adding that these concept stores would also guide the consumers in making appropriate decisions.

According to Aggarwal, of the existing 8000 resellers that HP currently has, about 1000 are expected to start such a HP exclusive retail outlets in their cities. HP will extend the support by supplying equipment and experts to these outlets to aid the customers.

HP India said that it would also strengthen its support infrastructure to complement the retail chain in 280 cities. In these cities, the company will have authorized professional, who will provide after sales service to the customers. Aggarwal, however, declined to disclose the amount of investment HP India will make in setting up the retail chain. He said that consumers are expected to purchase higher end products from the retail outlets.

During the press symposium, being held at Rishikesh, HP India also launched a series of desk-jet and inkjet printers. It also said that HP’s worldwide printer initiative targeted the 4 per cent digital printing market so far and would take measures to expand its market by entering the rest of the 96 per cent market through the release of several new products in the coming months.