India’s top consumer electronics and home appliances company launches its brand in UK and reveals its first product range for the UK market, a range of high quality, value-oriented LCD TVs

Videocon, India’s leading consumer electronics and home appliances company, has announced its entry into the UK market for consumer electronics products. The company is launching its brand in the UK, with a range of LCD TVs which will be available in UK retail chains by the end of this summer. Videocon will also detail its after-sales service and support strategy for consumers. The company has on its anvil plans to set up a TV assembly plant in the UK to serve the local market.

The Videocon Group is a US $4 billion global conglomerate with 23 factories across the world and 30,000 employees. Having started from a conference room sized assembly line in 1979, it is now India’s leading company in terms of sales and customer satisfaction in consumer products like colour televisions, washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens and many other home appliances, selling them through the largest sales and service network in India.

The company has very recently re-strategised and overhauled its brand identity at a 1500-strong dealer get-together in Macau, followed by consumer launch at Bollywood’s equivalent of the Oscars last month, the IIFA awards. Mr. Abhishek Malpani, country head for Videocon in the UK, commented, “We are pleased that it was well received there. Now we are bringing this same newly refreshed brand and its values to the UK.”

The company sees a growing opportunity in the UK, and Videocon’s LCD TVs fill a gap in a segment of the market which is largely not currently addressed – between the premium brands, and the OEM products; Videocon’s focus is on selling high-quality products at affordable prices.

Mr. Abhishek Malpani said, “With this positioning we are confident enough to register a strong presence in the UK market. We are able to provide products to consumers looking for value-for-money quality products for the UK consumer. We have targeted a market share 3% percent by 2010.”

Nick Simon, account director of Gfk commented, “The size of the UK flat panel TV market is around 8.7 million and it is growing by around 18 percent per annum. There is a vacuum in this segment of the market that shows clear opportunities for new global players.“

At the UK launch ,Videocon announced its intention to offer retail partners in the UK a wide choice in terms of value and features. The LCD TVs being revealed will be offered in options of HD ready, full HD and slim full HD ranges, and with frameless glass or steam moulded gloss finishes. Picture quality features include 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 1 billion colours.

Over time the product offering for the UK will evolve to provide different picture quality levels, specifications and design aesthetics. Some top of the range models will be designed by internationally renowned designers, and in addition exclusive design options could be made available for key trade partners in order to enable a level of customisation.

As part of its product strategy, Videocon is also unveiling its warranty and service plans. All Videocon products are covered by a one year on-site repair service, with a target of three working days from when the service call is placed with its call centre to a repair being actioned. In order to provide this commitment to the highest level of customer service for the UK, Videocon has tied up with a leading service company to offer coverage for the whole of the UK.