Philips eyes 65 retail outlets

Philips Electronics India Limited (PEIL) has embarked on an extensive expansion intiative for its state-of-the-art brand shop 'Arena'. Philips Arena is part of a chain of exclusive Philips retail outlets showcasing the entire consumer range of Philips.

"We started the year with 20 Arenas, and now have 40 such outlets spread across the major cities in the country. We plan to reach 65 Arenas by the end of this year," said Mrugesh Gaglani, brand manager (mini systems, consumer electronics), PEIL, at the launch of the mega promotional offer for Diwali "� Kheeche Chale Aao.

Philips has just one Arena located in Andhra Pradesh at Visakhapatnam, and plans to open another outlet in Hyderabad by the end of this year.

Addressing the media, P V S Murthy, branch manager, PEIL, said, "With the current marketshare at 7.5 per cent in the television segment as compared to 2 per cent in December 2004, Philips has moved from the seventh to the fourth position in the state." Philips plans to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,500 crore this year as against the Rs 980 crore registered in the last calendar year, Gaglani said.

PEIL's current break-up of sales include 45 per cent in the audio segment, 50 per cent in the television segment and 5 per cent in PC monitors and other segments. This is the sixth year of Philips' sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup and the 'Kheeche Chale Aao' offers an all-expense paid trip for the winner to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.