While Reliance Jio’s
4G network services are expected to launch soon this year, Reliance Retail is making the most of this opportunity to market LYF smart phones. The brand has already been witnessing an increasing number of customers and the Jio data service launch is expected to further intensify sale of these handsets. Reliance Retail intends to speed up the process by tying up with 65,000 stores as well as 1, 20,000 retailers. They are expected to offer e-commerce services in addition to LYF smart phones.
Reliance Retail
Reliance Retail has built a strong customer base by dealing in the food, lifestyle, as well as digital sectors over the past 10 years. Retail stores of the company are distributed across several cities in India. Currently there are 3,245 Reliance Retail stores in the country. Additionally, the total number of stores inclusive of Reliance Digital, Digital Express Mini, and Digital Express are 1,748. To facilitate easy shopping, the company even combined two of its major grocery chains Reliance Mart hyper market and Reliance Super Mini hyper market into one single store called Reliance Smart.
E-commerce ventures
Reliance Retail has even made its foray into the e-commerce sector which has helped customers shop essential groceries as well as other items online from the comfort of their homes. In April, the company also launched its very own lifestyle and fashion portal called Ajio.com. Reliance Retail wants to further its business goals by consolidating the Jio infrastructure together with its physical retail enterprise to create a stronger impact on the market.
Jio’s network services
Customers have a lot to look forward to in terms of Jio’s network offerings as well. Jio’s free SIM with a LYF smart phone and the attractive data packages are helping the company build its customer base. Head of Research at India Infoline, Amar Ambani stated that to compliment these services, Jio even has its own range of applications like JioChat and JioPlay. He likens the venture to Google.Inc which also offers a variety of services in one place.
Leading smart phone brand
A report by Cyber Media Research and Services Ltd. deemed the company as the third-largest in terms of sales of
4G mobile in India. Although a new entrant, it has already gained a 13% market share. It is among the leading brands dealing in the shipment of VoLTE-enabled phones and has recently acquired the third position with regard to the same.
LYF itself formed 7.1% of the smart phone market in India (in the first quarter of FY16) as reported by research agency IDC. So far, the company has launched 14 handsets at reasonable prices. Most of them are available at various Reliance outlets and online shopping portals like Flipkart and Amazon. With an investment of Rs. 1.5 trillion, Mukesh Ambani has stated it to be the world’s biggest start-up.
Summary
Reliance Retail ties up with retailers for sale of LYF phones; LYF brand has a 13% market share.