HCL to offer Kodak Digital Camera in India

HCL has signed an agreement with Kodak to distribute the camera company’s digicams and its related accessories in Indian market.

With the boom in digital lifestyle and personal technology products category, Kodak is projecting strong growth rates in the category of digital imaging. Globally, India is one of the fastest growing markets for digital cameras, with shipments expected to jump from 8 lakh units in 2007 to 2 million units by 2010.

HCL has reached extensively across channels and have organized retails that include the HCL DigiLife Stores. The company is expecting to be a major force multiplier for Kodak. HCL will also be contributing for Kodak institutional sales plan in India.

Executive Vice-President, HCL Infosystems Limited, Hari Baskaran said, “HCL sees digital imaging products as a major growth category over the next few years. Kodak, with its well-established brand and market leadership in the imaging business, is an ideal partner to consolidate our leadership in the digital lifestyle arena. Our tie-up with Kodak is a reflection of our ‘digital lifestyle’ strategy that aims to position HCL as the premier player bringing digital lifestyle products to the Indian consumer.”

Kodak India, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Eastman Kodak Company, has achieved a fame of leading player in the high-growth digital photography industry in India. Kodak is also planning to boost the rising demand of consumer for quality digital photography products, followed by the aim to expand its leadership position in the country.

Ravi Karamcheti, Managing Director, Kodak India Private Limited, said, “Kodak aims to bring the latest digital imaging technology to the Indian consumer. We are pleased to have HCL Infosystems as a partner in our quest to offer one of the widest ranges of digital imaging products to our consumers. India is at a very interesting stage with respect to the way pictures are being clicked and managed .We have been maintaining our leadership position in a very dynamic market and this step will take us yet ahead in the industry.”

Kodak has emerged among the most extensive Consumer Digital Camera portfolios, offering 12 Kodak models at retail price ranging from Rs. 7,999 to Rs. 19,999. The company is hoping to increase its Point and Shoot range to 12 megapixel from 6 megapixel within a year with its compact lifestyle cameras.