In a move to reach out to an increasing number of customers, HP India plans
to more than double its retail outlets in the country. In a press meet held at
the Ananda Resort, near Narendra Nagar in Tehri-Garhwal district, HP India
announced plans to further strengthen the retail business in India, which it
acquired as part of Compaq’s merger with itself. According to Ravi Aggarwal,
Director - Imaging and Printing Group, HP India, the company would increase the
present number of 450 outlets in 200 cities to 1,000, that will cover 280 cities
in the country by October 2003.
These stores will sell the entire range of consumer products, including
Presario home PCs and notebooks, handhelds, inkjet printers, photo-smart color
printers, scanners, consumer and commercial all-in-ones, entry-level laser
printers, supplies and an extensive range of papers.
HP
India also plans to open ‘Concept stores’ in about eight large cities where
the entire range of consumer and commercial products will be demonstrated.
"These stores will not have a selling orientation. Rather they will provide
consumers new ways to experience and enjoy digital imaging," elaborates
Ravi, adding that these concept stores would also guide consumers in making
appropriate decisions.
According to Ravi, of the existing 8,000 odd resellers that HP currently has,
about 1,000 are expected to start HP exclusive retail outlets in their
respective cities. The company would extend the support by supplying equipment
and experts to these outlets to aid customers.
HP India said that it would also strengthen its support infrastructure to
complement the retail chain in 280 cities, by appointing authorized
professionals to provide after-sales service.
HP India also launched a series of new deskjet and laserjet printers. The new
additions include a Bluetooth-enabled portable color printer at Rs 15,999, HP’s
first sub Rs 75,000 color laser printer, the fastest color laserJet printer
featuring wide-format in-line printing and new connectivity products that
support printer maintenance, management and wireless connectivity.
The new lineup of HP color printers and connectivity products are targeted at
mobile professionals, SOHO/SMB, enterprise users, print service providers and
graphics professionals.
CYBER NEWS SERVICE