Canon eyes growth in city

Canon India, which supplies photographic and digital imaging solutions, is eyeing growth opportunities in Bangalore which has the highest PC penetration in the country. The company plans to market its all-in-one printers in a big way in the city.

According to Canon India senior vice-president Alok Bharadwaj, the printer-to-home PC attachment was 40 per cent in Bangalore, the highest in the country.

"Photo printing at home is also the highest in this city. However, our market share in Bangalore for both inkjet printers and laser printers is poor. We are launching a city-specific project "" Namma Bangalore "" to increase Canon's presence and mindshare in the city," he added.

The campaign will focus on Canon's Consumer System Products' (CSP) Division that deals with IT peripherals products range (inkjet printers, laser printers, inkjet all-in-ones, scanners and projectors).

"We expect to more than double our marketshare of all-in-ones from 9 per cent to 20 per cent within six months under the project," he said.

Canon will also undertake more advertising, promotions and engagements with partners. The 'Namma Bangalore' project is the third in a series of such campaigns launched earlier in New Delhi and Mumbai. The next campaign will be held in Chennai. "The earlier campaigns were successful in increasing the penetration of CSP in the markets," Bharadwaj contended.

The company will also open a consumer products showroom on Brigade Road in the city for an investment of Rs 2 crore. "This store will provide consumers with an experience of all our products. It will be an interactive showroom. Similarly, we are launching another showroom only for corporate and enterprise customers," he said.

Canon India is a subsidiary of Canon Singapore Pte Ltd. Canon India President Kensaku Konishi said the company's revenue was Rs 510 crore in 2007, a 35 per cent growth over the previous year.

"We expect our revenues to reach Rs 700 crore this year. Our aim is to hit the revenue target of Rs 1,000 crore in 2009 by extending our marketing activities," he added.

According to Konishi, the company launched 78 products in 2007. "We have 281 channel partners, 3,000 secondary retail points, 50 Canon flagship stores and 32 Canon Care centres. The products are available in 300 towns across the country. Overall, Canon's presence is expected to increase to 6,000 outlets by December 2008," he stated.