The Hindu Business Line : Philips India to expand Arena

Mr Robert J.H. Kobes, Regional Business Manager-Connected Displays, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Philips Consumer Electronics, at the launch of `Philips Arena' showroom in Chennai on Thursday. — Bijoy Ghosh

Chennai , March 3

PHILIPS plans to increase the number of outlets of its brand shop, "Philips Arena", from 30 to 100 across 25 cities in the country by the end of this year.

These stores will benchmark new standards in consumer electronic retailing, said Mr D. Shivakumar, Executive Director & Senior Vice-President.

Higher growth is expected from the rural areas and from smaller towns, he added.

Currently, 23 per cent of total sales come from the rural areas. India has a television penetration of 7.7 million - valued at Rs 6,000 crore - which is growing at the rate of 10 per cent.

Mr Robert J.H. Kobes, Regional Business Manager (Connected Displays), Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Philips Consumers Electronics, said that there was the same potential in India as in China.

The company was investing in technology, people and in distribution in India.

Philips manufacturers colour televisions at its Pune plant and has started exporting colour televisions to Russia and Eastern Europe.

The company has been growing at a rate of 50 per cent this year, which is about four per cent more than the market.

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