| Nakamichi, the Japan-based audio-visual major, is looking at a pan-India presence by the end of 2007, according to Pro Acoustics, part of the Relan group that manages the brand.
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| The company will invest close to Rs 20 crore in India in the current financial year.
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| “Right now, we have five exclusive outlets in India. We will have a total of 15 exclusive outlets by the end of 2007, of which two will be company-owned and the rest would be run on a franchisee model,” Shane Choithramani, country head of Pro Acoustics, said.
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| The company claims that its biggest strength lies in the products’ durability. “Any Nakamichi product will last at least seven years,” Choithramani said.
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| The company recognises competition with popular brands such as Sony. “Some of our low-end audio systems are priced at Rs 26,000 and home theatres at Rs 1 lakh, which is comparable with some of the leading Japanese brands and their products and pricing,” he said.
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| “Our products are imported and designs outsourced, but we may start assembling Nakamichi products,” Choithramani said.
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| Nakamichi aims to emerge a strong player in India by 2008 and, accordingly, plans to use a combination of advertisements, participation in major exhibitions across the country such as the ‘Audio-Visual Revolution’ held in Delhi in September. “We will also sign a brand ambassador by mid-2007,” he said.
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| Each of the new exclusive stores scheduled for launch will either have a service centre inside or within walking distance from it.
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| The company will also be tying up with banks in the next one month for installment payment schemes.
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| In India, Nakamichi registered a turnover of Rs 10 crore on March 2006 and is expecting sales to close at Rs 15 crore at the end of the current financial year. |
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