Canon plans 500 retail stores this year

Canon believes and is betting on the retail wave in the
country. It has recently embarked on a new initiative -
Canon Retail Program (CRP) - under which it would set-up 500 retail
stores across the country by this year. Called Canon IT imaging zones, these
retail stores would focus mainly on photo printers and AIOs targeting the home
segment.

“Within three months of launch of this program, the
company started to earn 10% of revenue from retail channel and it is likely to
contribute 30% by this year end. In the next couple of years, retail would be a
big channel for Canon IT business contributing about 50% in the total
revenue,” said VP Sajeevan, Senior National Manager (IT Sales), Canon India.

It has set up 135 IT imaging zones across the country so
far. “We plan to increase it up to 300 by June and close it at 500 by
December. The imaging zones are being set up in association with channel
partners who have focus in retail business,” he informed. The company supports
the resellers with signage, schemes, demo stand, machines, PoS materials and
promotional activities, besides providing training. “We want our partners to
be well-equipped and well-informed about Canon products and its advantages,
including the unique selling propositions,” quipped Sajeevan.

S GOPIKRISHNA