Samsung targets 100 brand stores by year-end

Lucknow, Oct 15: Digital technology major Samsung is aiming at upping the number of exclusive brand stores in the country to 100 from the present 80.

Samsung India Deputy Managing Director Ravinder Zutshi said here the brand stores would showcase the complete range of products viz TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, MP3 and DVD players, ACs, mobile phones etc.

''In this era of cut-throat competition, only companies which focus on product range, technology and new initiative will survive and benefit the consumers,'' he maintained.

''East UP is one of the most lucrative markets for Samsung and accounts for nearly Rs 150 crore business,'' the official said.

The company owns 15 exclusive stores in the region.

Mr Zutshi was here to kickstart the four-day 100th Samsung's 'Dream Home Road Show' this year in the Uttar Pradesh capital, there the company also announced the all-India launch of its advanced 'Sonoma' series of LCD TVs in Lucknow.

Commenting on the flat panel TV lineup (Plasma and LCD TVs), he claimed earlier there were apprehensions that this segment would continue to lag due to higher price tags.

''However, sales figures have proved the sceptics wrong about the potential in the segment,'' he added.

Clocking sales volume of 30,000 LCDs last fiscal ending December 31, 2005, Samsung has set a target of selling 1.5 lakh LCD TVs in FY07.

''Apart from 1.5 lakh LCD units, we are also confident of vending about 50,000 plasma TVs. This jacks up the target to 2 lakh units in the flat TV lineup,'' Mr Zutshi informed.

Currently, Samsung has a market share of over 45 per cent in LCD TVs and is the market leader in the segment. It is closely trailed by LG with about 37 per cent market pie.

Available in 32 inch and 40 inch -- for Rs 74,000 and Rs 1.29 lakh respectively -- screen sizes, the slim and compact 'Sonoma' LCD range stands out, as much for its picture performance, high fidelity sound as its superier design.

Samsung is eyeing a 50 per cent Indian market share of LCD TVs in the current fiscal. Mr Zutshi said the company was majorly focussing on smaller towns and cities.

UNI