Global telecom major Alcatel-Lucent is foraying into the retail sector in the country with innovative networking technologies. The company is learnt to be in talks with a few Indian retail majors for implementing networking solutions in a number of retail arms. The company is also aiming to boost its revenues from the hospitality sector by entering into more tie-ups with Indian groups. The investment details could not be ascertained.
Shekhar Agarwal, director, enterprise and vertical, Alcatel-Lucent, South Asia, said, ?We are the leading provider of hospitality solutions in India with installations in over 70 properties. Regarding retail chains, we are set to enter the market and are also in talks with several retail chains to offer our solutions.? Refusing to divulge the names and financial details, Agarwal said, ?As each high-end hospitality project invests anywhere between $1-2 million in each property, with about 1,00,000 rooms coming up in next three years, the potential is large. Similarly, a retail chain depending on number of chain stores may need investment in technology and network, which will be in excess of $10 million.? Last year, the company had announced its plan to invest $200 million in India every year, over the next few years. The company has development centres in Chennai, Bangalore and Gurgaon.
