Date:15/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/15/stories/2004101500640900.htm

Back Swarovski aiming for B2C segment

Anna Peter

Mumbai , Oct. 14

SWAROVSKI CCB, which hitherto addressed the B2B segment of the Indian market, is for the first time approaching the B2C segment.

According to Mr Sanjay Sharma, Country Manager, the company's components business witnessed exponential growth in 2002-03 and 2003-04. During the January-September 2003 period, the segment grew 60 per cent and in 2004, growth has already touched 88 per cent and is set to breach the 90 per cent mark.

The company's functions in the country are divided into components and consumer goods businesses, accounting for 55 per cent and 45 per cent respectively of business share.

According to Mr Sharma, the reasons for the extraordinary growth are that more applications and more information are now available and more business segments are being tapped. "Fashion and fashion jewellery are largely unexplored and opening them up would result in a boom." Mr Sharma also said that a number of duplicates were being passed off as Swarovski and the company has launched a worldwide awareness campaign to combat this.