The Japanese electronics brand Panasonic is going to revamp its manufacturing and marketing set up by pumping in $ 200 million (ie over Rs.850 crore), informs Aso Hidenori, Chairman, Panasonic Sales and Services in India. The company is going to spur the growth at the rate of 20-25% this fiscal year, and to increase the sale, the company is going set up 200 franchised exclusive stores across the country. Panasonic India is eyeing for trebling the turnover by next three years from its current revenue of $350 million. In India, Panasonic has manufacturing units at Noida (CRT and LCD monitors), Chennai (Small Appliances and Dry Batteries) and Vadodara (Dry Batteries). It currently sources plasma TVs, washing machines, and air-conditioners from its facilities in Japan and Thailand. Revealing the franchise facts of the company to the TFW reporter Subhro Prakash Ghosh, R. Prem Anand, Manager - Brand Shop Developments, says that the minimum area required setting up a store is 1500 sq. ft. The requirement of investment is basically on stocks and fixed furniture which comes to approximately Rs.3.5 million. The primary criteria for a potential franchisee are experience in consumer electronics retailing and preferably owning an existing store.
