Bard Roy enters retail space with IT arena

Kolkata: Partners in Kolkata seem to be in a mood to expand into the retail space aggressively with major showroom expansion and renovation plans. In step with the trend, Bard Roy has opened a new showroom outlet in the prestigious E-Mall—one of the prominent IT and electronics mall in the city.
The decision to move into retail from its sub-distribution business reflects the company's endeavors to make it big in the IT space.

“Owing to the global slowdown and its effects on IT retail, sub-distribution is no longer lucrative and profits have declined considerably. It is primarily because of this fact that we ventured into retail,” said Pradeep Jhawar, Proprietor, Bard Roy.
Christened IT arena, the new showroom of Bard Roy is focusing primarily on the laptop segment, with a complete laptop accessories portfolio. The company is targeting display segment with brands including HP, Compaq, Lenovo and Toshiba.

Commenting on the emergence of Toshiba in Kolkata, Jhawar said, “Toshiba appeals to the high income group. We have just started dealing in the brand.”

Pinning his hopes on Toshiba, Jhawar added, “We expect a good response from the customers for Toshiba laptops in the near future.” On a month-on-month basis, already IT area has contributed to five percent of the company’s monthly turnover and Jhawar is expecting a 20 percent contribution to his total revenue from his new venture.

The company already owns a showroom of the same name in Ahmedabad. Now, targeting to expand in the retail segment and focus on building retail branded chain, the company will be soon target major locations and develop its franchise model. However, Jhawar confirmed that this process will take some time to develop and working out the model will take at least six months.

Concluding his remarks on the new venture, Jhawar said, “People have accepted Bard Roy in the retail space owing to the credibility associated with us in our sub-distribution business. We have been consistent in that space and now, with our focus on retail, we plan to repeat the success we had in the sub-distribution space.”