Kochi: Television manufacturers in the country are pinning hopes on the ongoing FIFA World Cup to provide a fresh impetus to the growth in sales of television sets in the state, known for its passionate following of the game.
Television makers such as Sony and Samsung and a slew of low priced brands have initiated Kerala-specific discount offers to coincide with the football extravaganza.
Speaking to reporters in Kochi Raju Pullan, Samsung India senior vice-president, consumer electronics said he expected a 20-30 per cent growth in June-July due to football.
"We feel that momentum created by the football World Cup is expected to carry through the Onam festival season", he said. According to him, the company will be focusing more on the premium and high-end segments during the season.
Sony India has also launched a special promotional scheme in the state few days ago, coinciding with the start of FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Speaking to this newspaper on Wednesday, Jayanth Giridharan, director of a major retail chain in Kochi, said TV sales had shown a definite upswing.
'We expect the same to continue till the Onam festival, the main shopping season in the state", he said.
The demand is good for low priced sets coming in the range of Rs 20,000 for a 40-inch, he said.
Demand is also good for 32-inch sets in the range of Rs 14,000 per unit.
According to Mr Pullan, his company will be focusing on three segments with the launch of ambient mode QLED, UHD and concert series.
"We are going to be in every price point with enough choices for the customers", he added.
