Samsung plans digital fix for sales

NEW DELHI: Samsung India is targeting 70% growth in its digital media business for the current year. The digital media business which is a new thrust area for Samsung within the audio-visual segment, includes products like digital cameras, camcorders, DVD and MP3 players.

The company, which is in the process of finalising plans for its second manufacturing unit in India, is following the twin strategy of enhancing its portfolio along with a major ramp up in its direct sales presence in smaller towns.

Samsung which embarked on creating a new network of area sales offices (ASOs) in smaller towns separate from its 20 branch offices this year, has set up 20 ASOs during the first half of this year.

In the last two months, Samsung has added 14 ASOs in locations including Trivandrum, Vizag, Mangalore and Asansol. All these ASOs will be functional by September.

“Our considerably enhanced sales infrastructure coupled with our new product launches should help us successfully optimise our festival sales in the second half of this year,” according to Samsung India’s deputy MD Ravinder Zutshi.

On Thursday, the company expanded its range of digital cameras with six new launches priced between Rs 8,990 and Rs 49,990. It also announced an entry into the DVD camcorder category and unveiled new HD-ready plasma televisions.