Retail bug bites Vintron: 100 retail outlets are on cards by 2001

Vintron, in its major ex-

pansion plan is planning

to open 50 retail outlets in the first phase, which expects to be operational by

Sept. By March 2001, it is planning to open another 50. All of these will be

exclusive retail outlets of Vintron, which will also carry non-conflicting

products like software, printers and products in which Vintron doesn’t deal

directly, but are required to as a solution.

Investment levels are expected to be pretty large from

Vintron’s side. "We are expecting an investment of 3 to 5 lakh in a

retail outlet by an individual retailer, says Manish Aggarwal, Director

Marketing, Vintron.

The first retail outlet would come up in July or August. In

Delhi alone, the company is planning to have at least four to five retail

outlets. Manish plans to have at least 35 outlets in the up-country region and

another 50 would come up in metros and semi metros.

"The buyer today wants to have the feel of the product

before buying, and Vintron serves that purpose," says he. "With SOHO

market also expanding at a tremendous pace, retail will play a major role in the

times to come."

Vintron would only be branding the outlet but the overheads

would be borne by the owner of the retail outlet. Vintron would carry out all

promotional activities. "These promos and marketing exercises would be

carried out to ensure the walk-ins," says Manish.

Major criteria for selecting these retail franchises would be that it should

be located at an approachable market place. Says Manish "We’ll be

offering each of the retail manager training by hiring external

consultants."