By James Wells
SYDNEY: Hitachi Australia is seeking a sales agent to focus on the Harvey Norman and Narta business in New Zealand, reporting to Hitachi general manager – sales and marketing, Geoff Hannaford, in Sydney.
Hannaford told Current.com.au this appointment will continue Hitachi’s growth strategy in the region.
“The total New Zealand retail market is currently valued at NZ$2.2 billion and the audio/visual segment in particular is dominated by two major brands, which is very different to the Australian market conditions, which identifies an opportunity for our company”, Hannaford said.
“Hitachi is currently seeking a suitable partner in the form of a sales agent who will be responsible for supporting the local business in New-Zealand and representing the Hitachi brand and values previously developed in the Australian market.
“The strategy to remain a premium niche brand will be executed in New Zealand with a distribution focus on Harvey Norman and the Narta Group members, who also have expansion plans in New Zealand, supported by the interest of some of the larger non-aligned NZ retailers. The recent acquisition of Hill and Stewart by JB Hi-Fi demonstrates the plan of the existing Narta Group members to expand to the New Zealand market in the future.
"We are looking forward to the development opportunities in New Zealand. Hitachi aims to embrace the cultural and local market needs and bring a new entertainment experience from one of Japan’s household names in Plasma, LCD, camcorders and other categories to the consumers of New Zealand," he said.