Reliance’s Lyf may become a $1 billion brand by year-end: CLSA

CLSA, in a recent note, said that Reliance’s Lyf handset brand could well become a $1 billion brand in India by the end of the ongoing fiscal year, if it continues to manage 7% market share.

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The brokerage said that the 7% market share of estimated 137 million smartphone sales in the ongoing financial year will result in sales of 10 million units, which could make LYF a $1 billion brand using an average selling price (ASP) of $100. This could drive a 31% year-on-year bump to Reliance Retail’s FY16 revenue of Rs 216 billion.

The Lyf brand will benefit from the launch of Reliance Jio’s 4G services as well as the ongoing smartphone boom in India, CLSA said, adding that Reliance Retail’s strong distribution network, better brand appeals at entry level, and initial bundling of Jio’s 4G services could significantly push LYF handset sales in the country.

The LYF brand emerged as India’s fifth largest smartphone player in its first quarter since launch in the world’s fastest growing smartphone market which is led by Samsung.

LYF cornered a 7% share of the smartphone market in the first quarter of the year, according to Counterpoint Research. CLSA noted that the surge in LYF’s market share could be a result of channel filling, which though highlights an encouraging start.

LYF shipped around 1.7 million LYF smartphones into India from January to March. The brokerage said that LYF handset sales will also get a boost from the ongoing invite-based offer for Jio’s 4G services, which is exclusively for buyers of LYF phones.