Date:11/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/11/stories/2008091158580200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

All set to ‘X-cite’ buffs

Special Correspondent

-PHOTO: Satish. H

Geek stuff: Robots dance in X-cite store at Metropolitan Mall on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: Impact Retail Private Ltd opened its first store of consumer electronics at Banjara Hills here on Wednesday with a brand name ‘X-cite’. The store showcases a wide range of consumer electronic goods in 150 brands, including televisions, computers and peripherals, mobile phones and white goods under one roof. The company, floated by Tony Jashanmal, who has business interests in retail sector in India and West Asia, proposes to open 30 exclusive showrooms by 2009-end. Impact Retail has forged a franchise alliance and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) relationship with Alghanim Industries, a Kuwait-based manufacturing and automobile and retail chain. Srikant Gokhalae, CEO of Impact Retail, said that X-cite stores would be opened in seven more cities in the near future. The company planned to invest Rs. 200 crore in its expansion plans.