KOLKATA: With Kolkata emerging as one of the largest hubs of shopping from the comforts of the home, the home shopping channel STAR CJ Alive from the house of STAR CJ Network India, is looking at better penetration in West Bengal. The channel has tied up with the multi-system operator (MSO) – Siticable in order to reach more than 1.2 million subscribers in the state.
STAR CJ Network India – a joint venture between STAR Asia and the South Korean home shopping major, CJO Shopping – is also planning to expand its operations in Kolkata by leasing a warehouse in the next one year.
“Kolkata contributes around three-four per cent to the total turnover. We have tied up with Siticable for better penetration in the West Bengal market. STAR CJ Alive will be available on no. 121,” said Star CJ Network CEO Kenny Shin.
When Suresh Sethia, Kolkata director of Siticable was contacted, he said, this tie-up will help the channel to reach more than 1.2 million Siticable subscribers in the state.
After observing the growth rate of TV shoppers in the eastern and north eastern region, the channel might look at a warehouse facility in order to make the delivery faster, informed Shin. “We believe Kolkata is going to be our hub in the eastern region. We would like to expand our business in Durgapur, Darjeeling and Siliguri too,” he added.
The channel which was launched four years ago is one of the fastest growing shopping channels in the country and has 4.5 million registered users. “The television shopping industry is growing at a rate of 35-40 per cent whereas we are growing at a rate of 60 per cent in the current fiscal,” said Shin.
The television shopping industry in India is pegged at around Rs 2,000 crore and STAR CJ Network India enjoys a market share of around 30-35 per cent at present, Shin further added.
The channel is known to offer an array of products ranging from fashion, lifestyle, home appliances, kitchenware, digital services and lots more. “Going forward, the channel aims to cross five million registered customers by this month end, while in the next two-three years, it is looking at seven-eight million customers,” he concluded.
