The manufacturer of cameras and digital imaging products – Nikon India yesterday declared that it is planning to expand the number of its retail stores, to enhance its presence in the Indian Market. The camera maker announced that it will hire around 200 salespersons to beef up its sales force, under its retail expansion plan in India.

Speaking of the expansion plan of the company, Hidehiko Tanaka, the Managing Director of Nikon India, said, "Our expansion plans include increasing our sales force. So, this year we would be hiring around 200 demonstrators."  

According to Nikon India, it is planning to increase the number of its retail outlets to about 800 in India this year, and it is eying for 10 percent share in the estimated one-million-unit Indian compact camera market, and it is aiming for 40 percent share in the 13,000 unit SLR camera market.

Mr. Tanaka said, "We are planning to make our products available to around 800 shop-in-shop stores this year. Currently, we are present in 100 stores. So our focus this year in India would be expanding our base.”

Mr. Tanaka disclosed that the company is looking to open its new retail stores in the major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore. He told that the company is also planning to introduce its 'SLR Zone' concept, which was recently introduced in New Delhi, to its retail stores in other major cities as well.   

Additionally, Nikon India launched eight new models of its flagship Coolpix brand of digital cameras, including Nikon Coolpix P90, Coolpix S-Series including S630, S620, S230 and S220 cameras, Coolpix L100, Coolpix L20, Coolpix L19, priced in the range of Rs 7,450-Rs.25,950.