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Philips launches e-commerce site

Our Bureau

MUMBAI, June 1

PHILIPS India Ltd on Thursday announced the launch of its voice activated e-commerce site `E-Shop@philipsiondia.com'.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Senior Vice-President, Consumer Electronics, Philips India, said: ``We have spent Rs. 20 lakhs on designing and hosting the site and tied up with HDFC to provide a secure auto payment gateway which will be operational from June 20.''

It will use automatic authentication of credit cards with 128 bit encryption technology to ensure security of online transactions. ``Philips will also use the customer relationship management (CRM) model to achieve `mass customisation' wherein customers can design their products with accessory combination,'' said Mr. Karwal.

By year end, the company hopes to set up 200 e-kiosks with various dealers across the country ``to encourage offline customers to go online'', added Mr. Karwal.

The company, which has tied up with Elbee for courier services, expects to touch a sales target of Rs. 3.5 crores by May 2001, said Mr. Karwal.

Apart from providing business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) platforms, the site will also provide an exchange junction between customer-to-customer (C2C) as well as an auction site for dated products.

Refuting a question about competitive pressure forcing the company to go online, he said that the only other consumer durable online is LG with `lgezbuy', adding that, ``the move towards e-commerce is a logical one as we are in a progressive area. This w ill help us to retain our position as a well-known household brand enabling us to continue dominating the next century.''

Pic.:Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Senior Vice-President, Consumer Electronics, Philips India, launching the voice-activated e-commerce site in Mumbai.