AndroidLand stores in India will be expanded to 50 from the present 2 in the next 18 months, said Spice Global Group CEO Dilip Modi.
AndroidLand is the next generation concept stores that sell Google Android smartphones from Sony, LG, Samsung, Lenovo, Spice, HTC, Xolo, Micromax, Karbonn, etc.
In December 2011, the first AndroidLand retail store was open – by the carrier Telstra on Bourke Street, Melbourne, Australia.
The initiative will see rival brands coming under one umbrella – under the strong and growing brand of Android, which commands around 80 percent market share in India the operating system (OS).
Some of the Spice Hotspot stores will also be converted into AndroidLand stores, Modi told TelecomLead.com.
Interestingly, AndroidLand will compete with Spice Hotspot, a retail chain selling smartphones and tablets.
Today is the birthday of AndroidLand stores in India with Spice, Indian smartphone and retail major, opening one store each in Noida, Delhi NCR and Bangalore.
Sony Mobile marketing head Tadato Kimura said these experience centers are important for the growth of smartphone segment in the country. “We are happy to be part of this revolution.”
Mobile industry stakeholders, who attended the opening of the AndroidLand store in Noida-Delhi NCR welcomed the move.
Lenovo India director – Smartphone Sudhin Mathur, said AndroidLand stores is a new concept to introduce latest devices on Android OS. These multi-location concept stores will offer Android experiences created for its customers and will showcase a comprehensive range of Android devices, services and accessories.
LG India managing director Soon Kwon said: “I have seen AndroidLand store in Indonesia. I have not seen this concept in Korea and China. Congratulations to Spice and other smartphone vendors.”
XOLO business head Sunil Raina welcomed the concept saying this will push smartphone sales in India. This will also help in building Android brand.
Interestingly, Apple is not strong in Indian telecom market. BlackBerry is facing tough market conditions. Phone business of Nokia, which will be sold to Microsoft for $7.2 billion, uses Windows Phone OS. Microsoft will be aggressive in the phone market and introduce new products and innovations in the OS from 2014.
AndroidLand stores will offer innovative solutions to smartphone users. Modi says Spice Android experience specialists present at the store have undergone comprehensive training to ensure they can help showcase the best of what the Android platform has to offer.
