Fitbit launches 7 products across India.
By Raif Karerat
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Fitbit, the world’s leader in wearable tech, has formally waded into the Indian market by announcing its full line of physical activity- and sleep-tracking devices will now be available throughout the nation, with the company is aiming to become the top player in the local market in the near future.
The Indian market is currently led by Chinese company Xiaomi with its Mi Band, according to Counterpoint Research, but Chief Revenue Officer Woody Scal told The Economic Times that Fitbit expects India to be among its top 5 markets in next two years.
In order to inject itself directly into the thick of the competition, Fitbit launched seven products across India through more than 300 stores on Tuesday.
“Globally and in India, wearables are in nascent stage and offer huge opportunity,” Scal told the Hindustan Times.  “We are aware of many companies offering wearable products, but at Fitbit we will offer personalize video based coaching through our App — FitStar — to consumers,” he continued.
Acquired by Fitbit earlier this year, FitStar is one of the largest platforms for delivering personalized video-based workouts.
FitStar users can now track their daily activity with Fitbit devices and get a tailored exercise program designed specifically for them across iOS devices and desktop computers.
“There is a clear trend emerging across India with people aspiring to improve their health and fitness as high rates of chronic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, are compelling them to look for new ways to reinforce healthier habits,†Scal told the Indian Express, assumedly hoping that Fitbit will be providing the devices that Indian choose to aid in the pursuit of their healthier lifestyles.
The company will now offer its products through partnerships with Reliance Digital, Croma and Helios, which will sell Fitbit’s seven products, priced between Rs 3,990 and Rs 19,990. There are several cheaper products available in the Indian market from rival companies.
“Considering Fitbit’s price points, we believe it will be difficult to capture the lion’s share in the wearable segment here,” Counterpoint Senior Analyst Tarun Pathak informed the Economic Times. “It not only needs to bring customers in its ecosystem but also make sure that they don’t abandon it after a few months of purchase, which is still a case with most of the wearables out there in the market.”
However, smart bands or fitness bands are seeing better uptake in the market as compared to smartwatches since people don’t know much about the usage of the latter, analysts disclosed.