Whirlpool targets Rs 50 cr Onam sales in Kerala

Kochi, Aug 9: Home appliances major Whirlpool is targeting sales worth Rs 50 crore in Kerala during the 'Onam' festival, company's Vice-President, sales, Tamal Kanti Saha said today.

Flagging off Whirpool's month-long 'Onam' marketing and promotional activities here, Mr Saha said the company had notched up sales worth Rs 35 crore during 'Onam' last year. The company's total turnover in Kerala last year was Rs 100 crore.

Nationwide, Whirlpool had a sales turnover of Rs 1,375 crore during 2005-06, a 25 per cent growth over the sales of Rs 1,085 crore in 2004-05.

Mr Saha said Whirlpool was closing in on the market leader in both the refrigerator and washing machine categories, with a almost 25 per cent market share.

Whirlpool, which has signed Bollywood actor-couple Ajay Devgun and Kajol as its brand ambassadors, has planned a slew of promotional activities in Kerala for Onam, which was traditionally the time for people to make major consumer goods purchases.

As part of the activities, the company will for the first time begin online gift vouchers targeting non-resident Keralites. It was targeting a sales turnover of Rs 20 lakh through this initiative, Mr Anup Jain, General Manager, brand marketing, they said.

A roadshow called ''Magic on the Move'' was flagged off today.

Under this, a mobile van will cover 100 towns in Kerala in the next 30 days to showcase the company's new range of 'Fusion' refrigerators and 'Splash' washing machines.

'Onasadya' recipe contests and Kaikottikalli dance contests will be conducted as part of the festivities, he added.

UNI