Aldous Glare to focus on retail sector

NR Sethuraman

Chennai

January 14th, 2008

Cochin-based sub distributor year Aldous Glare is all set to foray into the
retail space this year. Speaking about the move Eldho Areeckal, GM, Aldous
Glare, said, "The opportunities in the retail industry is growing everyday
and we would like to maximize on it, while continuing as a sub-distributor in
Kerala."

The company is hoping to achieve a target of Rs 120 crore by the end of 2008,
besides registering a growth of 50 percent quarter-on-quarter. "We have
grown considerably YOY and propose to continue the good work this year too. Our
entry into the retail sector will contribute to our growth," Areeckal
added.

Aldous Glare plans to open around 10 retail outlets in all major cities of
Kerala by this year-end. The company has already opened a retail outlet in
Cochin and is trying to replicate the same throughout the state.

On an observation that the retail venture would weaken its channels business
as well as its channel partners, Areeckal said, "Retail would not have any
impact on the channel, as the two are totally different entities. However I must
accept that partners are opting more for retailing than the reselling today.
This is why we too want to get into retailing. Retail market is a huge and a
growing one, as against reselling where margins are getting squeezed."

Incidentally, Aldous Glare continues to hold its leading position in Kerala
after having won the 'King of Kerala' competition in the last quarter. "We
are a leading player in laptop segment in Kerala and want to establish the same
in the retail end too. In the retail sector also, we would focus on branded
laptops and PC's," Areeckal indicated.

He further added that laptops contributed to almost 80 percent of Aldous'
trade last year so its focus on laptops would continue. The proposed retail
expansion of the company will be a joint venture with another established
retailer in Kerala. However Areeckal declined to comment the name of the partner
and promised to share the JV details within very short time.