Thursday, January 15, 2009

3I INFOTECH SEES RS 7.5 CR A MONTH FROM RETAIL BIZ

Amit Tripathi, Mumbai
DNA

3i Infotech, the IT services firm, aims to earn Rs 7.5 crore per month, or Rs 90 crore a year, from its 12,500 I-serv branded retail stores, said Anirudh P, executive director and president (South Asia).

"Considering one rural household fetches us just Rs 10 per month, 600 households will bring Rs 6,000. Multiply that by 12,500 stores and that's what we aim to earn per month from these retail stores," he said. One I-serv outlet will cater to a rural population of 3,000-18,000.

About 2,500 I-serv outlets will be up and running by January 31 and will offer general and life insurance and mobile services, among others. 3i Infotech has invested Rs 1,200 crore for its retail foray, with each outlet attracting an investment of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Half of the 12,500 I-serv outlets will be through the franchisee model.

"Under the franchisee model, we will train a local entrepreneur and provide the necessary infrastructure. But the outlet will be owned by the entrepreneur," said Anirudh.

The company plans to break even within 18 months. Initially, the outlets will offer products and services of ICICI Lombard, Airtel and Max New York Life. Later, 3i Infotech will also provide microfinance at these outlets.

0 comments: