Bangalore cousin shocks RadioShack
The Texas-based retailer has asked Bangalore-based Radio Shack to desist from using the brand name.
By Deepshikha Monga & Mayur Shekhar Jha, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Call it the attack on the clone. Even as it readies its India entry plans, American consumer electronics retailer RadioShack has found it has to contend with a namesake in the country. The Texas-based retailer has asked Bangalore-based Radio Shack to desist from using the brand name. ���There appears to be an unauthorised company operating itself by our brand name in the Bangalore area. The company has been instructed by our legal department to cease and desist using our brand in any way,��� said a RadioShack spokesperson.
RadioShack is a $5-billion consumer electronics specialty retailer of wireless communications, electronic parts, batteries and accessories and a retail support services provider. It has over 7,000 stores, with an average size of about 2,500 sq ft, in the US, Latin America and other markets like the UAE and Egypt. It uses a mix of company-operated and franchisee stores. When contacted, Bangalore-based Radio Shack proprietor Athar Rehman said, ���We have not received any notice from any company. We have five to six electronics stores with names like Radio House and Radio Shack. For us, it���s just another name.���
ET had earlier reported that RadioShack is in talks with the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), exploring options to enter India. RadioShack had then said that it does not comment on rumours or speculation. ���The chain has evinced interest in setting up a presence in India. It is not known if it will directly invest or look at a pure franchisee model,��� a source said. Wal-Mart, which is partnering the Bharti group for its India foray, had faced a similar situation earlier.
deepshikha.monga@timesgroup.com
RadioShack is a $5-billion consumer electronics specialty retailer of wireless communications, electronic parts, batteries and accessories and a retail support services provider. It has over 7,000 stores, with an average size of about 2,500 sq ft, in the US, Latin America and other markets like the UAE and Egypt. It uses a mix of company-operated and franchisee stores. When contacted, Bangalore-based Radio Shack proprietor Athar Rehman said, ���We have not received any notice from any company. We have five to six electronics stores with names like Radio House and Radio Shack. For us, it���s just another name.���
ET had earlier reported that RadioShack is in talks with the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), exploring options to enter India. RadioShack had then said that it does not comment on rumours or speculation. ���The chain has evinced interest in setting up a presence in India. It is not known if it will directly invest or look at a pure franchisee model,��� a source said. Wal-Mart, which is partnering the Bharti group for its India foray, had faced a similar situation earlier.
deepshikha.monga@timesgroup.com
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