TI Cycles opens model retail store  ( May '26,2004, HBL)

TI Cycles, the maker and marketer of brands such as BSA and Hercules, today opened a model retail store here, the first of possibly 10 such outlets it plans in the next 18 months.

Branded `Cycle World,' the outlet in Chennai's Anna Nagar will try to woo consumers with neatly arranged cycles, accessories, a test track, along with a slew of services including free home-delivery, easy finance schemes and free after-sales service, said TI's Vice-President (Sales & Marketing), Mr Mohit Khattar. He said TI is looking at extending this concept to major cities.

The company's President, Mr G. Hari, said the outlet provides the right ambience for selling top-end products, including BSA Literider and certain Hercules versions, which sell at around Rs 4,000.

Apart from cycles, the Cycle World outlet will sell head gears, made in China but marketed by the company, TI spares, and a range of health equipment, which presently constitute just about one per cent of the company's sales. Mr Hari, however, said the segment is growing at around 15-18 per cent.

There are also plans to introduce accessories such as elbow pads, knee-pads, indicators and horns.

Among other plans, TI, which is a unit of the Murugappa group's Tube Investments, plans to target the south Indian rural market by aligning with self-help groups and "a leading bank."