Alcatel try reheating cheap smartphone market

One of the five largest sellers of smartphones in Brazil, the Chinese ancient Alcatel One Touch Alcatel-controlled by TCL-wants to extend the participation of its retail sales. Also called unlocked, the devices sold at retail have won more representation in Brazil since the carriers have reduced the discounts offered to customers for buying phones. Of every 10 smartphones sold in Brazil in 2015, seven were released.
At Alcatel, the proportion was only 30% reverse of retail sales. "We expanded the number of 14 to 50 partners and we went from 3 1000 to 2000 points of sale in the country," said Fernando Pezzotti value, General Manager of Alcatel for Brazil. Coming from Samsung, the Executive assumed office four months ago, after his predecessor, Enrique Ussher, was promoted to Vice President for Latin America. In the region, Roberto Soboll, who in the last five years were on Samsung, took over as Director of Alcatel products.
To expand its presence in retail, the manufacturer wants to take advantage of a "void" left in the market with high-dollar and some changes in the profile of consumers. Since last year, the cheap smartphones, which pulled sales growth in recent years, are no longer the main focus of the manufacturers. Thus, the demand for models in the range of up to 600 R$ was less satisfied. According to research firm IDC, in 2015, the average price of smartphones in Brazil stood at R$ 880, being 17% in 2014.
Today, the company will launch new models priced between 499 and R$ 899 R$ and four and six-inch screens. By the end of the year, Alcatel will practically double the number of models offered in Brazil, from five to nine. In the second half, will also launch models with higher prices. "The idea is to have a broad product line, meeting various price bands. Compete with the more expensive products is more difficult, but we will be in this too, "Pezzotti said. The price range that the company intends to act has not yet been set.
But the phones are not the only products that the company sold in Brazil. Smart Watches, accessories and devices connected to the internet are in the plans. They will be sold through a store maintained by Alcatel. "The store is a reference of the brand," Pezzotti said.