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SINGER Sri Lanka and DELL surge ahead to number one in laptop market share

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Singer Sri Lanka, the country’s premier consumer durables retailer together with DELL Technologies has surged ahead as the dominant leader acquiring a sizeable and impressive 35.6% market share for Dell branded laptops according to an International Data Corporation (IDC) Report released recently. This supremacy is in addition to Singer’s recent success as the country’s No. 1 computer seller.

While Singer is the exclusive distributor for Dell consumer laptops in Sri Lanka, significantly, the company has helped to drive Dell Sri Lanka revenue accounting for a bulk 70% of Dell revenues comprising all segments. Dell’s other channel partners share the balance 30%.

Shanil Perera, Marketing Director, Sri Lanka PLC said, “Dell’s continued innovation and diverse product offerings reinforce its standing as the leading brand globally. We at Singer are recognised as the undisputed number 1 computer seller in the country. Together we aim to remain focused on providing best in class technology that meets the needs of our customers. Our rise in leading the consumer laptop market-share demonstrates deep commitment to continue offering value throughout our portfolio.”

Despite challenging market conditions, Singer’s solid growth is also due to the surge in remote work and education, as the pandemic continues to demand higher levels of laptop usage for working and studying from home catering to the new ‘normal’.

However, the preference for Dell laptops over other brands showcase customers choice in seeking cutting-edge products as well as reaffirming their confidence and trust placed in the brand. This is especially noteworthy, as Dell laptops are at a premium price compared to other competitors in the market.

Aabid Aslam, Head of Distribution (Client & Enterprise) Sri Lanka and Maldives, stated, “We are extremely pleased to be the frontrunner and achieve market-share dominance for consumer laptops with the help of Singer Sri Lanka. Over the years our partnership has flourished and continues to deliver superior results. Today, we mark our success by delivering unprecedented levels of performance and value that customers can rely on.”

Dell offers a wide range of products to meet the diverse needs of its customers; the entry level range is attractively priced at Rs. 64,799 in addition to high-end laptops such as the award winning XPS13 range, recognised as the best laptop in 2020 and other gaming laptops. Dell’s innovative in-house software ‘Dell Mobile Connect’, which seamlessly creates a bridge between a user’s smartphone and their laptop, ensure customers receive equipment that is superior, high quality and intrinsic in value.

Contributory to Dell’s accomplishment is Singer’s attractive payment easy schemes such as credit card offers, cash discounts and special student offers. Moreover, in the highly competitive consumer laptop market, Singer’s hire purchase facilities has afforded greater incentives for customers to own a laptop at an extremely accessible price and this has also fueled Dell’s market share growth.

An additional benefit offered by Singer is the extension of the applicable two-year warranty to a four-year period, its legendary service standards, enhanced e-commerce platform www.singer.lk, and easily accessible extensive network of over 400 showrooms located islandwide resonate well with Dell customers seeking greater choice and value for money.

Working from a shared vision of success, Singer and Dell aim to continue to collaborate and strengthen its market share, achieve higher revenue, continuing to provide industry-leading technology solutions and services to its mutual customers.



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Business

Sri Lankan hair extension specialist benefits from export order surge

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Kaveesha Bethmage

Says SL should be part of the billion-dollar industry

By Sanath Nanayakkare

One may often hear panelists at business forums waxing eloquent about domestic value additions to imported raw materials for re-export and earning valuable foreign exchange for the country.

But one would rarely hear about a self-made Sri Lankan woman entrepreneur who is slowly but steadily attracting global attention towards Sri Lanka — for transforming imported human hair supply into stylish hair solutions for women — who face loss of hair and suffer from low esteem.

The Island Financial Review recently had an interview with the presidential award-winning hair extension specialist, Dr. Kaveesha Bethmage who is the owner /CEO of Salon Kaveesha International (Pvt) Ltd in Dematagoda where 30-hair extension artisans are employed.

“No matter which country we are from and what our differences may be, we all have a strong view of hair. Hair is a subject that is very important to women and their self-esteem. We often see our hair as a reflection of our identity because it is both personal and public. The positive or negative view of hair can greatly affect a woman. Hair, its length, texture and colour, all affect how a person looks and how they will be perceived. Lack of hair is not only directly associated with the appearance of a woman, but it also can significantly contribute to a loss of confidence resulting in many other negative personal implications. This is especially important for women with medical conditions that result in receding hairline. Needless to say more, hair is one of the assets for women”, says Kaveesha.

“Salon Kaveesha’s hair extensions are a quick fix for length and volume. Our products make our clients feel more confident as they blend with their own hair. This is always custom work, and my team is well-trained to adapt the extensions to the client’s hair structure, texture, colour and style preferences”, she says.

Delving into the pig picture of the industry she says,” Only a very few people know that the hair extension industry is more or less like the jewellery industry because the raw materials of both industries are valuable and hard to find. However, there is a distinct difference between the two supplies. A woman with the right volume of hair can look stunning without any jewellery. But the other way round is never true. This is why the hair extension industry is a billion-dollar industry in the world.

Sri Lanka can claim a sizable market share in this industry as many foreigners wouldn’t mind travelling to Sri Lanka to get this service and enjoy a short stay here,” “We already have a lot of expats coming to get our products and services. Our newly launched website has paved the way for us to receive an increasing number of orders from the USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Germany, Australia, the Middle East etc. Our AI-driven online platform enables virtual hair extension try-on for potential clients. So, they can see themselves virtually with their preferred hair extensions and place their orders. Usually, the lead time for delivery of an export order is about two weeks, and the prices vary according to the type and style of the chosen extension,” Kaveesha says.

“We have a range of hair extensions for those who can visit Sri Lanka as well as who can’t physically be here, but love to use our products after virtually experiencing it. I am glad that we have seen an increase in the number of online orders since we started exporting in 2020, on a small scale during covid-19 pandemic. The salon was founded in 2003, and our hard work has paid off with our export footprint. I think it’s high time we expanded our business to make it more industrial and globally competitive, and be more visible to the global audiences,” she says.

Kaveesha’s local clientele comprises celebrities, professionals, businesspeople, academics, politicians among other clients.

“Now we want to sell our hair products to the entire world. With this objective in mind, I am planning to establish a new hair products factory including the salon near the Katunayake International Airport to provide easy access to my clients. Then they can have their desired hair extensions within minutes of leaving the arrivals terminal. I know from experience that is how fast they want this critical service.” she says.

According to her, the new eco-friendly facility will cost about Rs. 45 million and it will create at least 60 jobs for industry veterans and novices.

“Our vision is to take Salon Kaveesha to international prominence as a leading provider in the hair and beauty industry. I am confident that the banks I deal with, will support me in financing the new project given the establishment’s proven track record, and my industry experience of more than 20 years.” she says.

Kaveesha points out that one challenge for her business is getting the right equipment and accessories for her trade.

“Hair extensions, hair-to-hair transplants and making innovative hair products from finest human hair is a specialized trade. But we can hardly find the sophisticated tools in Sri Lanka for it. We have to go abroad from time to time to purchase them,” she says.

Buddini Jayanika, manager at Salon Kaveesha said that they have donated many hair wigs to women in marginalized groups who faced hair-loss due to medical conditions and couldn’t afford to buy one. She also mentioned that her CEO believes in giving back to society, and therefore, Salon Kaveesha supports several CSR activities.

The embellishment annually donates hair extensions to cancer patients and underprivileged individuals to boost their confidence and self-esteem. It also provides stationery to students of disabled army soldiers every year to support their education.

Kaveesha’s husband, Lasantha Bethmage is an investor cum director of the establishment.

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Italian business footprint in SL increases with Benji’s US$35 million expansion

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Benji Limited and the BOI inked the expansion agreement for US$35 million recently

In 1999, a renowned Italian business firm entered Sri Lanka and invested in the garment sector. Calzedonia first invested in the Omega Line. The firm first focused on the European market, followed by Sirio Limited and Alpha Apparel investments. Benji Limited began making bra cups, briefs, and bras for women in 2006. Calzedonia eventually changed its name to Oniverse, but the group’s operations continue to grow and spread worldwide.

Benji Limited and the BOI inked an expansion agreement for US$35 million. The company’s parent company, Oniverse, opted to invest more investment in Sri Lanka, citing its extensive understanding of the local business ecosystem and renewed confidence in the normalization of business in the country.

Giorgio Montresor, CEO and Managing Director of Benji underlined the importance of Sri Lanka’s human resources in attracting new investment. He also remarked that young Sri Lankans are very capable of learning new technologies, and their work ethic is among the greatest in the world. All of the group’s companies currently employ about 15,000 people.

Currently, Benji manufactures 30 million bra cups. This fresh capital injection will bring in new technology-driven machines with increased capacity and improved quality. We expect a 35% increase in production. All group firms source bra cups from Benji, reducing imports of bra cups from China to nil. As a result, this investment will not only increase foreign exchange inflows but also reduce dollar outflows.

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Business

UK to support SL govt on its reform agenda

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Catherine West, Minister for the Indo-Pacific

Inclusive economic growth, anti-corruption, human rights and national reconciliation are on the agenda as Catherine West, Minister for the Indo-Pacific will meet key government ministers, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

The visit marks the first ministerial visit to Sri Lanka since the formation of new governments in both countries. The Minister will strengthen valuable UK-Sri Lanka trade links, boosting growth for UK and Sri Lankan businesses. She will launch new export procedure handbooks, helping Sri Lankan businesses better access the UK market through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The minister will also travel to Jaffna to emphasise the UK’s ongoing support for human rights, reconciliation, climate resilience and minority rights. She will meet with local political leaders and civil society organisations working on post-conflict rehabilitation, as well as visiting the only FCDO-funded climate adaptation project which directly addresses groundwater depletion and its impact on agriculture and local communities.

Minister for Indo-Pacific, Catherine West said: “I am so pleased to make my first official visit to Sri Lanka and meet the new government so soon after they have taken office. I have heard a lot about the country from my UK constituents of Sri Lankan heritage; and I have experienced their warm hospitality. The UK and Sri Lanka share a dynamic modern partnership. I look forward to exploring our potential to grow our relationship through trade, economic growth and education.” I believe social and economic development are vital to sustained growth. The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to tackling corruption, supporting human rights progress including long-standing grievances, and taking action on the impacts of climate and nature.”

UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick said: “Minister Catherine West’s visit marks an important moment – the first meeting of our two new governments. To see the Minister visit so soon after elections underscores the UK governments commitment to strengthening our bilateral partnership. We’ll see lots of activity in the months ahead, as we work with the government on their agenda of reform.”

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