Kodak is all set to disrupt the consumer durable market in India. Here's how

Growing up in an India that has just opened up its liberalization of policies, Kodak was a household dream. Urban Indians who are fond of traveling would own a Kodak camera to make their experiences memorable. Undoubtedly a big brand in photography and camera, Kodak had taken a backseat recently with too many photography pages popping up through the social media in India. While Kodak has always maintained its lead in the B2B market, the B2C market in India was waiting for more surprises in the product line. And it has actually turned out true. And the surprise from Kodak is totally wild. While you were thinking of lens, cameras and something related, Kodak has just come out with its wide range of LED TVs.

The new head-turner in the field of personal gadgets, LED TVs is of utmost importance. Be it Netflix and Chill or playing your favourite game of PlayStation, the new India desperately needs a TV. And what better than state of art technology combined with sleek look and of course at a budget price? It seems, Kodak having played it like Rahul Dravide (slow and steady) have understood the Indian market better than anybody else.

Kodak has tied up with Super Plastronics Ltd for production and marketing of Kodak TVs in India. Kodak's smart TVs are available online and a 50 inch costs Rs 39,000, which is way less than other able competitors.

If data is to be believed, India is expected to become the fifth largest consumer durables market on a global level by 2025. The consumer durables industry is projected to double at 14.8% CAGR to reach approximately USD 12.5 billion in FY15 from USD 6.3 billion in FY10.
The improving living standards have made the need for electronics consumer durables a must in the Indian household. The changing environmental dynamics, urbanization and rising income levels are driving the growth of this segment that was once inhibited by the high price point. The Indian television market is shifting from the traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) technology to LED, LCD and Plasma televisions. Some leading players have officially stopped the production of CRT televisions and are now concentrating on LED TV’s.

Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO/Director, Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd (SPPL) spoke exclusively to Business Insider and shared the inside stories.



CRT MUKT Bharat
“We also plan to initiate a social awareness program by the name of CRT MUKT Bharat. The CRT market is valued at almost 1/3rd of the LED market in India and the price gap between the two is considerable. With the rural population looking to upgrade themselves, we see a greater demand from rural areas as well. Experts say although sales of LCD and LED TV sets have grown 28 per cent annually in the last five years, flat panel TVs are yet to replace CRTs completely,” Marwah told Business Insider.

Why Budget TVs?
“We believe in paying for what you get, hence our televisions are priced according to the technology provided therein. Moreover, we chose to keep the price a budget one as we look to approach the masses and make our television available to all,” said Marwah.

Future products
Kodak plans to introduce 55 and 65 inch smart televisions in the coming year as well televisions with 4K technology.