Vivek to ramp up operations

Chennai-based Vivek Limited, a consumer electronics and home appliance retail chain, which has included mobile phones and IT-related products in its portfolio and is marketing the same in Chennai and Bangalore, plans to expand it to other cities.

The 32-year-old company has 54 showrooms in 19 cities of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Talking to Business Standard, BA Srinivasa, director, Vivek Limited, said the company would ramp up its operations by opening 90 more branches in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Puducherry in the next three years. Chennai and Bangalore will see six or seven more branches coming up during the current financial year.

The company registered a turnover of Rs 360 crore in the year ended March 31, 2007, as against Rs 300 crore registered last year. For the current year, it is targeting Rs 450 crore.

Vivek currently markets electrical appliances, TV sets, and window air-conditioners among others, under three brands "" Viveks, Jainsons and Premier.

Also on the cards are 'one point service solution centres'. The scheme will include stocking of requisite spare parts, training the personnel to handle multi-brand appliances and also offering comprehensive maintenance contract for hi-tech gadgets, under one roof. The plan will shape up in another 2-3 years, said Srinvasa.

The company right now provides servicing and maintenance to around 25 products.

Though the company does not plan to enter the manufacturing sector, it does plan to go into private labeling.

"We have begun importing about half a dozen products including electric rice cookers, toasters, irons, and are also examining the possibility of including colour TVs and DVDs in the product labeling range," Srinivasa said.