Keen On Establishing Our Presence in South India: Victor Rackets' India GM Ben Hsiung

Victor Rackets, a renowned badminton brand ranked second globally, and founded in 1968 in Taipei, Taiwan, has made a significant stride in India by inaugurating its first official showroom in New Delhi.

With a widespread presence in several countries such as Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and China, Victor Rackets - the world no. 2 badminton brand - is re-establishing its footprint in the Indian market.

The brand aims to cater to the discerning needs of Indian consumers by offering a diverse range of badminton equipment, including apparel, grips, kit bags, rackets, shoes, shuttlecocks, strings, and other related products.

Having already established 426 showrooms worldwide, Victor's General Manager for India, Ben Hsiung, expressed his enthusiasm about the company's entry into the Indian market.

In an interview with mykhel, he remarked, "This is our inaugural brand showroom in India, marking the beginning of our journey in the country. We envision further expansion by identifying suitable locations and collaborating with retailers."

Highlighting Victor Rackets' distinctive approach to the sports industry, Hsiung emphasised the brand's commitment to offering a comprehensive range of products. He underscored the significance of forging long-term partnerships and expressed optimism regarding the brand's future endeavours in India and internationally.

Additionally, Hsiung revealed why the company planned to collaborate with India's highest-ranked men's singles player, HS Prannoy, and best women's doubles shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa.

Addressing inquiries about expansion plans in south Indian cities, where the craze for badminton is higher, Hsiung disclosed, "Our sales in India currently lean towards the southern region, constituting 60-65% of our market share. Recognising the significance of the southern market, we are keen on establishing our presence in cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru."

When asked about Victor's unique selling proposition, Hsiung highlighted the brand's diverse product portfolio, including collaboration products such as Spiderman rackets and Hello Kitty accessories. He further stressed on Victor's belief that badminton is not merely a competitive sport but also a source of enjoyment for enthusiasts of all ages.

"Not only we're offering rackets, shoes, apparels, shuttles which other competitors are offering. But also we're offering everything, for example, the court, net, and also the referee chairs. So anything related to badminton we have it all.

"Also, one thing unique about Victor is we do have collaboration products as you can see in the Spiderman rackets and also Crayon Chin chin, Hello Kitty Pinterest and many many more to come. All those products none of our competitors are offering. Because in Victor, we believe that badminton is not only for competition, it is also for having fun. So by offering some products for normal ordinary consumers, they can enjoy every day," he remarked.

Regarding brand ambassadors, Hsiung emphasised Victor's cherished long-term partnerships with athletes like Ashwini Ponnappa, who has been associated with the brand for over a decade. He expressed excitement about recent collaborations with players like Prannoy and affirmed the brand's commitment to fostering relationships with Indian and international talents.

"One thing that Victor cherishes the most is long-term partnership and relationship. Like for example Ashwini. She has been with us for 12 years already. So I consider her not only the ambassador, an endorser but also a family member.

"As for Pronnoy, he just joined us recently starting from January this year. So I'm also very excited to have the singles male player and a female doubles player from India onboard as brand ambassadors. So in the foreseeable future, there will be more and more Indian shuttlers joining us. And also, international players signing up with Victor Rackets," Hsiung added further.

Discussing some of the international players who serve as brand ambassadors for Victor Rackets, he mentioned, "Tai Tzu Ying, the top-ranked female singles player globally, has been associated with us for a considerable period. Additionally, we recently secured agreements with the top two male singles players from Japan."

Speaking about growth projections, Hsiung expressed confidence in Victor's upward trajectory, citing a remarkable 133% increase in sales in 2023 compared to the previous year. He reiterated the brand's dedication to achieving substantial growth and further solidifying its position in the global badminton market.