Will launch Avent brand in India soon
BANGALORE: Consumer electronics and lifestyle products giant Philips is all set to kick off Avent brand of mother- and baby-care products in India.
Jelle Rieske, senior director, Philips India Consumer Lifestyle, said the products that will be introduced in India range from milk bottles to skin-care offerings. The Avent brand sells in 11 markets, including the UK, the US, Italy and Spain. Johnson & Johnson dominates the baby-care market in India, with 85% market share, followed by Wipro.
A Wipro Consumer Care spokesperson said the size of the market is Rs 6,500 crore and is growing 12-15% annually.
Philips India Consumer Lifestyle has lined up a host of consumer product launches in the next six months. This is part of the parent company’s initiative to tap the Brazil, Russia, India, and China (Bric) markets, where it’s witnessing a 16% growth in business, compared with an overall growth of 6%. Its innovation centre in Bangalore is set to roll out a remote control device to control the functioning of all electrical gadgets and appliances in a house. Rieske said, “This technology will be unveiled in Mumbai in the next 2-3 weeks.”
In a few months the firm plans to launch two television models catering to the upper niche segment. “The margins are better in this range as opposed to the mass segment television,” said Rieske.
The Philips Aurea LCD television, which is already in the Western European market, is expected to be first in line. The other model is ‘Essence’. However, the company refused to divulge the prices.
Philips India is also set to launch an upgraded version of its MP3 and MP4 player ‘GoGear’ in a month. “We have a 15-20% market share in this segment. The newer version will help us consolidate our position,” said Rieske.
n_pranav@dnaindia.net
