MOBILE ACCESSORIES MARKET BOOMS

With mobile devices, including smartphones, gaining increasing popularity across the country, there is also growing demand for mobile accessories. As a result, the size of the market for mobile accessories is now worth between Tk. 1,500 crore and Tk. 2,000 crore, according to industry experts.  

Demand for accessories like power banks, headphones, data cables, memory cards and phone covers has also peaked in the mobile phone subsidiary market.

Moreover, the growing number of smartphone users, the rise in personal disposable incomes, growth of e-commerce websites, digitisation of infrastructure with increased spending capacity of consumers, availability of low-cost products, and changing lifestyle patterns are expected to boost the demand for mobile phone accessories in Bangladesh, opined experts.

According to allied market research, the global mobile phone accessories market is expected to reach USD 107.3 billion by 2022.

Market leader

“Alongside our handset business, we are paying attention to our accessories business, which is growing dramatically faster,” said Jakaria Shahid, general secretary of the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers’ Association and managing director of Edison Group, the parent company of handset market leader Symphony.

The current mobile phone market size is valued at approximately Tk. 10,000 crore while Symphony enjoys a market share of 30 per cent in Bangladesh, said Shahid.    

When asked about the market size, he replied that the local accessories market is worth between Tk. 1,500 crore and Tk. 2,000 crore, and the market is growing at a rate of 35 to 40 per cent per year.

“To meet the growing demand for accessories and similar products, we are building a factory at Ashulia in Savar, which will assemble mobile accessories from next month. Initially, two products—mobile batteries and chargers—would be produced at the plant,” said Shahid.            

“We import mobile accessories from China. The Edison Group has been involved in the accessories business since 2012,” he added.        

In reply to a query, he explained that some other accessories like tripods, mobile ring stands, lens kit, selfie sticks and zoom lens are also available in the market.

Breaking down the market segments, he explained, “Forty per cent for mobile batteries, 30 per cent for chargers and 30 per cent for other accessories account for the mobile accessories market.”

Discussing the challenges, he said the market is growing, but 50 per cent of the market is saturated with fake products that are not traceable at all.

He said the import tax, which ranges between 45 and 60 per cent, was too high for the importers. That was why some importers tend to import cheap and low-quality products, which eventually drag down the actual product price. “We need long-term policy support to fix such problems,” he suggested.

Talking about Symphony’s future plans, he explained, “After meeting the local demand by producing accessories in our factory, we want to export accessory items in the near future.”

 

Samsung’s advent

Global brands have come and engaged in the accessories business in Bangladesh. Samsung, for instance, has launched its original accessory products in the Bangladeshi market to fulfil the burgeoning demand on the part of digital device consumers.     

A high-ranking official of Samsung, requesting anonymity, said the company introduced original Samsung accessory products on July 15. User perceptions and lifestyles have changed because of growing demand and that is why Samsung has decided to launch ancillary accessories in Bangladesh.

Initially, he said, only five items will be available—power banks, headphones, wireless chargers, back covers and Bluetooth headphones.   

Asked about the prices, he replied that the prices of the back cover range from Tk. 990 to Tk. 4,000. Headphones start from Tk. 770 and go up to Tk. 12,000. Power banks range from Tk. 2,500 to Tk. 4,000.

All the products have a service warranty of up to a year, he said.

When asked about the challenges, he answered, “Our users sometimes don’t find original accessory products in the market. Because of that, they use fake or unknown brand products, which are harmful for their devices.”          

The products will be available at all selected Samsung brand shops all over the country where customers can choose the products they want from the enormous range of accessories, he said.

Describing the benefits, he said Samsung has a specific website where a user can easily check the authenticity of a Samsung accessory by putting in the item’s serial number.

E-commerce platform

Ajkerdeal.com is one of the largest online shopping or e-commerce platforms in the country.

Injamul Huq, business development executive of Ajkerdeal.com, told The Independent that e-commerce sales are a bit different from the physical stores. All types of accessories like Bluetooth headphones, fast chargers, power banks, selfie sticks, tripods, mobile ring stands, lens kits, zoom lens, back covers and screen protectors are available in Ajkerdeal.  

“All types of mobile headphones are enjoying the greatest demand. They are the most saleable products that we have at this moment,” he said.  

He explained that people usually buy mobile accessories online, as these are reasonably priced and easily affordable. “The demand is gradually growing. Hence, we design our promotional package in such a way that it can meet the demands of customers in all segments.”

Delineating the biggest challenges, he explained that the online accessory market is dynamically changing. So, if Bluetooth headphones enjoy demand today, the product may not see the same demand tomorrow. The market changes rapidly in response to customers’ demand, he explained.

When asked about the quality of the accessory items, he replied: “Product quality is defined as how well the product does and what it is supposed to do, and how well it holds up over time.”

People are now more concerned about the quality of accessory products as more and more smartphone users are using advanced technology, which will give a boost to the overall handset industry, he said.

 

Hatirpul market

Motalib Hossain, a mobile accessory retailer in Hatirpul, told The Independent: “Mobile phone covers and screen protectors: these are the two items in my store that I sell the most.” “I sell phone covers of different colours, with designs and pictures, as per the demands of my customers,” he said.

A few years ago, only a handful of accessory shops could be seen at Hatirpul, but within a couple of years, it has expanded and turned into the biggest market catering to the entire country’s demand.     

 

MOBILE ACCESSORIES MARKET BOOMS

With mobile devices, including smartphones, gaining increasing popularity across the country, there is also growing demand for mobile accessories. As a result, the size of the market for mobile accessories is now worth between Tk. 1,500 crore and Tk. 2,000 crore, according to industry experts. Demand for accessories like power banks, headphones, data cables, memory cards and phone covers has also peaked in the mobile phone subsidiary market. Moreover, the growing number of smartphone users, the rise in personal disposable incomes, growth of e-commerce websites, digitisation of infrastructure with increased spending capacity of consumers, availability of low-cost products, and changing lifestyle patterns are expected to boost the demand for mobile phone accessories in Bangladesh, opined experts. According to allied market research, the global mobile phone accessories market is expected to reach USD 107.3 billion by 2022. Market leader Alongside our handset business, we are paying attention to our accessories business, which is growing dramatically faster, said Jakaria Shahid, general secretary of the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association and managing director of Edison Group, the parent company of handset market leader Symphony. The current mobile phone market size is valued at approximately Tk. 10,000 crore while Symphony enjoys a market share of 30 per cent in Bangladesh, said Shahid. When asked about the market size, he replied that the local accessories market is worth between Tk. 1,500 crore and Tk. 2,000 crore, and the market is growing at a rate of 35 to 40 per cent per year. To meet the growing demand for accessories and similar products, we are building a factory at Ashulia in Savar, which will assemble mobile accessories from next month. Initially, two productsmobile batteries and chargerswould be produced at the plant, said Shahid. We import mobile accessories from China. The Edison Group has been involved in the accessories business since 2012, he added. In reply to a query, he explained that some other accessories like tripods, mobile ring stands, lens kit, selfie sticks and zoom lens are also available in the market. Breaking down the market segments, he explained, Forty per cent for mobile batteries, 30 per cent for chargers and 30 per cent for other accessories account for the mobile accessories market. Discussing the challenges, he said the market is growing, but 50 per cent of the market is saturated with fake products that are not traceable at all. He said the import tax, which ranges between 45 and 60 per cent, was too high for the importers. That was why some importers tend to import cheap and low-quality products, which eventually drag down the actual product price. We need long-term policy support to fix such problems, he suggested. Talking about Symphonys future plans, he explained, After meeting the local demand by producing accessories in our factory, we want to export accessory items in the near future. Samsungs advent Global brands have come and engaged in the accessories business in Bangladesh. Samsung, for instance, has launched its original accessory products in the Bangladeshi market to fulfil the burgeoning demand on the part of digital device consumers. A high-ranking official of Samsung, requesting anonymity, said the company introduced original Samsung accessory products on July 15. User perceptions and lifestyles have changed because of growing demand and that is why Samsung has decided to launch ancillary accessories in Bangladesh. Initially, he said, only five items will be availablepower banks, headphones, wireless chargers, back covers and Bluetooth headphones. Asked about the prices, he replied that the prices of the back cover range from Tk. 990 to Tk. 4,000. Headphones start from Tk. 770 and go up to Tk. 12,000. Power banks range from Tk. 2,500 to Tk. 4,000. All the products have a service warranty of up to a year, he said. When asked about the challenges, he answered, Our users sometimes dont find original accessory products in the market. Because of that, they use fake or unknown brand products, which are harmful for their devices. The products will be available at all selected Samsung brand shops all over the country where customers can choose the products they want from the enormous range of accessories, he said. Describing the benefits, he said Samsung has a specific website where a user can easily check the authenticity of a Samsung accessory by putting in the items serial number. E-commerce platform Ajkerdeal.com is one of the largest online shopping or e-commerce platforms in the country. Injamul Huq, business development executive of Ajkerdeal.com, told The Independent that e-commerce sales are a bit different from the physical stores. All types of accessories like Bluetooth headphones, fast chargers, power banks, selfie sticks, tripods, mobile ring stands, lens kits, zoom lens, back covers and screen protectors are available in Ajkerdeal. All types of mobile headphones are enjoying the greatest demand. They are the most saleable products that we have at this moment, he said. He explained that people usually buy mobile accessories online, as these are reasonably priced and easily affordable. The demand is gradually growing. Hence, we design our promotional package in such a way that it can meet the demands of customers in all segments. Delineating the biggest challenges, he explained that the online accessory market is dynamically changing. So, if Bluetooth headphones enjoy demand today, the product may not see the same demand tomorrow. The market changes rapidly in response to customers demand, he explained. When asked about the quality of the accessory items, he replied: Product quality is defined as how well the product does and what it is supposed to do, and how well it holds up over time. People are now more concerned about the quality of accessory products as more and more smartphone users are using advanced technology, which will give a boost to the overall handset industry, he said. Hatirpul market Motalib Hossain, a mobile accessory retailer in Hatirpul, told The Independent: Mobile phone covers and screen protectors: these are the two items in my store that I sell the most. I sell phone covers of different colours, with designs and pictures, as per the demands of my customers, he said. A few years ago, only a handful of accessory shops could be seen at Hatirpul, but within a couple of years, it has expanded and turned into the biggest market catering to the entire countrys demand.