IndiaRetailBiz

“Our entry into Kolkata and Kerala telecom retail markets is part of our commitment to bring greater value to consumers across the country. Consumers will benefit hugely from the best prices and the range of products offered at Subhiksha Mobile stores.” — R. Subramanian, Founder & Managing Director, Subhiksha Trading Services.

Subhiksha, the country’s largest no-frills, deep discount, retail chain, which operates over 1,200 food & grocery and over 700 mobile stores across the country, has now begun moving into Kerala and Kolkata for its mobile business, reports PTI.

For its telecom business, Subhiksha operates both ’standalone’ as ‘inclusive - shop-in-shop’ store formats. Shop-in-shop counters are embedded within the company’s main food, grocery & pharmaceuticals stores.

In addition to four mobile stores already operating in Kolkata, Subhiksha plans to open another 70 new stores in the next one month. Similarly, it will add 51 new stores in Kerala this year to the 11 stores already operating within the state.

The retailer will, thus, add over 120 new telecom stores this year in these two states.

Having topped 250 million mobile connections mark in March, 2008, India’s mobile telecom market that includes new and old phones, accessories, and recharge cards is growing at a fast pace of over 35% per annum.

Despite late entry into the telecom segment, Subhiksha has been able to position itself as one of the fast growing, serious, retail players in the sector. Through a witty and high powered TV advertising campaign, the retailer has carved out a niche for itself as a seller of phones at “lowest prices.”

Subhiksha, founded by Chennai-based banker turned retailer R. Subramanian, is partly (24%) funded by ICICI Venture Capital Limited. ubhiksha is expected to soon enter the capital market with its maiden IPO.