Philips to up investment in India

"(Royal) Philips has decided to increase its investments in emerging countries like China, India, Russia and Brazil, among others, by 27 per cent this year over the previous (calender) year," Vivek Sharma, chief marketing officer, Philips Electronics India said.

BRIC and other growing markets like Poland, Ukraine, Turkey and the Middle-East account for one-third of the revenues of Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics.

"We are aiming that by 2015, these markets account for 50 per cent of the company's global revenues. India and China are very important markets for us and have recorded the most growth over the last six months," Sharma said, but did not give details.

The company is focusing on increasing sales through retail and distribution, for which it began setting up showrooms and lounges for lighting and health care products earlier this year. 

Philips India will open 35 exclusive showrooms and 150 shop-in-shop lounges for its lighting products, Sharma said, without disclosing the investment. It will close the year by also setting up a total 120 health care and lifestyle corners.

Philips has launched the world's first cinema-proportioned LCD television and a Blu-Ray player range priced at Rs 4.5-lakh.

The Dutch company, with a presence in over 60 countries, manufactures durable products for home, health care and provides energy efficient lighting solutions.