Director, Akai: “We plan to triple our service centers to 300 by end of 2017”

In a one on one with DQ Channels Anurag Sharma Director of Akai India shares Akai’s plans to strategize its pricing and distribution in the currently volatile Consumer Electronics market

What are the expansion plans of Akai in India?

Akai is committed to offering quality home entertainment products, specializing in audio and video arena. The company enjoyed sizeable operations in the late nineties through our range of televisions and home theatres.

After re-entering in Indian market we have launched a range of LED TVs, Washing Machines and Air conditioners, further to this we are planning to strengthen our product portfolio by launching audio products and air purifiers. With a mission to enhance the overall customer experience, we also plan to triple the number of servicing centres in the country to 300 by the end of 2017.

We had recently announced the opening of our 100th servicing centre in India. To further amplify our presence in the country, we are also going to increase our focus for the next two years on marketing, distribution and after-sales service network.

We have also ramped up our retail base with over 1000 dealers’ network across Delhi NCR, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and foresee to expand to the south and east India by the end of FY18. In addition to this, we will deploy around 1,000 people at different retail stores across the country.

Our aim is not only to amplify the sales but at the same further establish after-sales service centres across the country. AKAI foresees to reach a critical mass and achieve a threshold level by the end of 2018.

What are the latest products offered by Akai and lined up products in coming 6 months

Our recent launches of 50’’ Smart TV coupled with the range of Automatic and semi-automatic washing machines is further going to strengthen our product portfolio giving an array of choice to our customers. In future, we are planning to introduce technologically advanced products in the same product line which would further enhance our position.

How many distribution partners do you have?

At present we have over 200 distributors and the products are available on more than 1,000 outlets. In the next two months, we aim to add another 500 outlets to reach out to the consumers across the country.

We are now planning to strengthen our position and penetration in the other parts of the country as well.

Akai presently have their presence?

We are currently present in the states such as Delhi NCR, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.We also cater to our customers in Mumbai & Pune through our exclusive tie-up with a known retailer.By FY18 we are planning to expand to south and east India