Chinese handset maker Xiaomi has partnered with The Mobile Store to sell its devices in India. Initially the company will be offering the Xiaomi Mi4 and the Redmi Note through the stores.
Till now Xiaomi was selling devices exclusively via ecommerce retailer Flipkart.com. According to reports the devices sold through The Mobile Store will sell at the same price as the online stores. ET reports that Xiaomi’s Mi 4 and Redmi Note 4G will be available at Rs 19,999 and Rs 9,999, respectively through the Mobile Store in Delhi NCR.
According to reports, The Mobile Store outlets will also work as service centers for the Xiaomi phones. Xiaomi has also started selling accessories on its Mi India store in India.
Manu Jain, head of India operations at Xiaomi told the news site, “This will be the first time that we’re getting into offline trade in India. In China, about 20-30% of total sales through come from telecom operators stores while the rest comes from our online store – Mi.com.”
Xiaomi which entered the Indian market last year has already sold more than 1 million devices in the country. According to reports, the company has been focusing on India and is planning to begin local production within the next twelve to eighteen months in the country. Reportedly, the Chinese OEM Inventec is expected to set up production lines at a leased factory in Chennai.
Xiaomi India Head Manu Jain is quoted as saying, "We are currently looking for warehousing and logistics partners in India, as well as deciding on a payment mechanisms like cash on delivery. It may take anywhere between three to nine months."
Source : ET