H-P to expand retail chain in east

Company is planning to open 50 more exclusive premium retail outlets by 2006

Hewlett Packard India (H-P) is planning to enhance its presence in the eastern region. As part of the strategy it has lined up 4-5 premium retail outlets in Kolkata.

The company, which is ramping up its retail operations in India, currently has 194 exclusive premium retail outlets and plans to open 50 more across the country by 2006.

V Krishnan, general manager, consumer sales, Hewlett Packard India, said, of the 50 outlets, four-five facilities would come up in Kolkata in the next 12 months to address the expanding market. Kolkata accounted for around 15 per cent of the company's total sales, he added.

Some of the company's high-end products are also sold in the eastern region.

Launching the HP Experience Zone in Kolkata, Krishnan said, it was an attempt to provide consumers with an interactive and informative shopping experience and provide the right ambience to touch and feel Hewlett Packard's growing range of products.

"Kolkata occupies a vital place in the overall expansion plan of the company. We find our consumers in Kolkata always eager to experience new technologies and constantly look out for products that are faster and better," said Krishnan. Customers in the eastern region were more discerning and educated, he added.

The company also plans to launch personal computers in the sub-Rs 20,000 range. Krishnan said, the company would come out with new personal computers in that range over the next three months. There would be Intel and non-Intel versions, he added.

He said personal computers in the range would have the best configuration.

The company will bundle the personal computers with printers and other complementary products and the offers will be targeted at the festive season.

"Today, Hewlett Packard already has home personal computers in the market, which are available at price points of Rs 17,990, Rs 18,990 and Rs 19,990," the company's general manager said.

He pointed out that Hewlett Packard was working towards evaluating its product offering in the market and offered products to its customers at the most affordable price points.

"Hewlett Packard will shortly extend its product offering in the market with the launch of AMD Athlon 64 bit 3200 plus (2.2 GHS) processor-based personal computers at a price of Rs 19, 990," he added.

Hewlett Packard's products are available across 1,491 retail outlets, 370 sub-distributors and 273 consumer support and service centres across 104 cities and locations across India.

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Of the 50 outlets, four-five will come up in Kolkata in the next 12 months to address the expanding market

Kolkata accounts for around 15 per cent of the company's total sales in India

The company also plans to launch personal computers in the sub-Rs 20,000 range

Hewlett Packard already has home personal computers in the market, which are available at Rs 17,990, Rs 18,990 and Rs 19,990