Samsung India to open stores in Chennai

Samsung India Electronics plans to open three to five exclusive stores in Chennai by the first half of the calendar year 2006.

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of launching their air-conditioner range, Ravinder Zutshi, deputy managing director of the company, said the company saw huge potential for its products in Tamil Nadu and hence wants to have a strong foothold in the state. It has 18 exclusive stores across the country.

Samsung's air-conditioners come in 19 new models across Window, Split and Tower categories with a price range of Rs 10,990 to Rs 1,09,900. The company also plans to test market its Commercial ACs- cassette type and ductibles in the Indian market in the first half of 2006, according to Zutshi.

The company commenced manufacturing heat exchangers for its ACs in India since November 2005. Set up at an investment of $5.2 billion, this unit has a production capacity of 4,00,000 units a year.

Samsung India expects to double the sales volume of its ACs to 4,00,000 units and increase its market share from 20 per cent to 28 per cent in this year, Zutshi added.