LG retains No.1 spot in durables market

Brand

First quarter

2004

2005

Refrigerator

LG

25.6

29.4

Whirlpool

21.6

23.2

Godrej

19.8

16.3

Washing Machine

LG

31.9

35.1

Samsung

14.6

13.4

Videocon

14.8

13.9

Television

LG

24.2

26.7

Samsung

15.0

14.4

Onida

10.1

11.0

Source ORG Marg

Market share in %

 Samsung, the number two player in the segment, witnessed a decline in market share to 14.4 per cent from 15 per cent. Onida, the number three player, has, however, increased its market share to 11 per cent from 10.1 per cent.  "A highly flexible pricing strategy both on the trade and the consumer front, and better market penetration has helped LG to be the leader across the consumer durable market. A player like Samsung would not be as flexible in pricing as LG," said Sundar Rajan, director, Market Search India Pvt Ltd.  However, Salil Kapoor, marketing head, LG Electronics, attributed the company's high volume growth to its customer focus, and a better promotional, advertising, product planning and line-up strategy.  In the washing machine segment, LG topped the list with a market share of 35.1 per cent, up from 31.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.  Samsung has, however, slipped to number four with a market share of 13.4 per cent, from the number two slot with a market share of 14.6 per cent in April-June 2004.