07 September 2011
MUSCAT: Japanese consumer electronics giant Toshiba is enhancing its sales to further strengthen its position in the Sultanate.
Oman is a key market for Toshiba in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said John J. Maliakal, regional manager for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, Toshiba Gulf.
"Toshiba holds 24 per cent market share in the notebook category in Oman, which is by far one of the highest market shares the company has among GCC countries. It is expecting a significant growth in 2011 as a result of the National PC initiative," added Maliakal.
"In fact, in November 2010, Toshiba won a deal for the National PC Initiative of Oman's Information Technology Authority (ITA)," he noted.
Training programmes
The initiative is a part of the government's digital strategy initiated in 2003 and is a first of its kind in the GCC. This is a fully-funded laptop grant for Omanis, which will help the country to be a leader in technology education and literacy in the region. The National PC Initiative deal with Oman ITA is one of the key contributors in the company's growth.
Maliakal said the introduction of entry-level C series laptops Satellite C660 and Satellite C640 has significantly contributed to an increase in sales volume of Toshiba in Oman.
Starting this quarter, Toshiba offers a choice of colours in this segment. However, the most preferred products are the Satellite L series for the premium style and features.
Bahwan Group has been Toshiba's partner in Oman for more than 20 years.
Toshiba has also increased direct engagement with channel partners through the profit for performance (P4P) programme. The Japanese firm is rolling out training programmes to its partners and their sales teams to deliver quality sales.
Other GCC states
Referring to the sales growth in other GCC states, he said that in Saudi Arabia, based on a recent GfK Retail and Technology market audit, Toshiba has the highest market share in the notebook segment with an average score of 24.4 per cent from January 2011 to May 2011.
"In the UAE, Toshiba is also showing strong market performance with an average market share of 22.88 per cent in the notebook category for the last half of 2010." Further, it is also showing strong market performance in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
Toshiba aims to ensure that consumers in Oman are able to get the new products upon release. With direct channel programmes, Toshiba constantly attempts to engage the channel to promote Toshiba products from their outlets, thus ensuring widespread availability of the products throughout the country.
MUSCAT: Japanese consumer electronics giant Toshiba is enhancing its sales to further strengthen its position in the Sultanate.
Oman is a key market for Toshiba in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said John J. Maliakal, regional manager for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, Toshiba Gulf.
"Toshiba holds 24 per cent market share in the notebook category in Oman, which is by far one of the highest market shares the company has among GCC countries. It is expecting a significant growth in 2011 as a result of the National PC initiative," added Maliakal.
"In fact, in November 2010, Toshiba won a deal for the National PC Initiative of Oman's Information Technology Authority (ITA)," he noted.
Training programmes
The initiative is a part of the government's digital strategy initiated in 2003 and is a first of its kind in the GCC. This is a fully-funded laptop grant for Omanis, which will help the country to be a leader in technology education and literacy in the region. The National PC Initiative deal with Oman ITA is one of the key contributors in the company's growth.
Maliakal said the introduction of entry-level C series laptops Satellite C660 and Satellite C640 has significantly contributed to an increase in sales volume of Toshiba in Oman.
Starting this quarter, Toshiba offers a choice of colours in this segment. However, the most preferred products are the Satellite L series for the premium style and features.
Bahwan Group has been Toshiba's partner in Oman for more than 20 years.
Toshiba has also increased direct engagement with channel partners through the profit for performance (P4P) programme. The Japanese firm is rolling out training programmes to its partners and their sales teams to deliver quality sales.
Other GCC states
Referring to the sales growth in other GCC states, he said that in Saudi Arabia, based on a recent GfK Retail and Technology market audit, Toshiba has the highest market share in the notebook segment with an average score of 24.4 per cent from January 2011 to May 2011.
"In the UAE, Toshiba is also showing strong market performance with an average market share of 22.88 per cent in the notebook category for the last half of 2010." Further, it is also showing strong market performance in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
Toshiba aims to ensure that consumers in Oman are able to get the new products upon release. With direct channel programmes, Toshiba constantly attempts to engage the channel to promote Toshiba products from their outlets, thus ensuring widespread availability of the products throughout the country.
© Times of Oman 2011
