Cartridge World eyes SME for refill market

Despite the current economic turmoil, Australian specialty cartridge retailing chain, Cartridge World , is optimistic about the growth of its business, particularly driven by the small and medium enterprises (SME) segment in India.

“Contrary to common belief, it is not the large companies that have a high usage of refill cartridges, rather the small and medium enterprises. For the financial year 2008-09, we are expecting the SME segment to form 60 per cent,” said Naveen Rakhecha, chief executive officer (South Asia) of Cartridge World.

For the fiscal 2008-09, the company is expecting a turnover of Rs 100 crore from the Indian sub-continent market.

On a longer term, Cartridge World consumer services franchise, which runs retail stores through its master franchisee AFL Pvt. Ltd. in India, expects to peg a turnover of Rs500 crore by 210, by setting up at least 250 stores nationwide. The company expects to gain a share of around 7-8 per cent by 2010 of the expected Rs 6250 cartridge refill market.

Cartridge World retail franchise is a one stop-shop for all printer-related needs, including inkjet cartridge refilling services, laser cartridge reloading services and printer repairs. The store also stocks original equipment manufacturer (OEM) inkjet and laser cartridges, high quality speciality paper, OEM printers and other office supplies.

The business services franchise recently launched its first store in Gujarat at Ahmedabad. With 45 stores already open across the country, the company plans to expand its presence in Gujarat by setting up at least four more stores in the near future.