ASUS opens ROG store in Bengaluru

Keeping gaming enthusiasts and tech-savvy professionals in mind, Taiwan-based ASUS ‘Republic of Gamers’ (ROG) on Thursday opened its first ROG store in Bengaluru. This is the leading global gaming brand’s third store in India, after outlets in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.

“We opened our first ROG store in July last year, and we are planning to open 60 stores by the end of this year. Karnataka alone will have six stores, including a store in Mysuru and Hubballi,” said ASUS India National Sales Manager Arnold Su, adding that close to Rs 25 lakh is being invested in each store.

Talking about the market size for gaming, Su said, “Close to 20,000 pieces (both laptops and desktops) are being sold every year in India, and we enjoy 36% market share. Our target is to achieve 50% market share by the end of this year.”

Equipped with a ‘Battle Ground’, where a total of 10 gamers can compete against each other, the store is also furnished with a product demo zone and experience centre where the users can test the new hardware.

He added that Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata together constitute 40% of the entire gaming market in India. While the gaming market in India is growing at 20%, ASUS is growing almost double the size.

“We are aiming to sell 60 to 70 pieces a month from this store, and ROG laptops are priced from Rs 85,000 to Rs 4 lakh,” he said.