Thank you for your very comprehensive feedback for the India market after a year’s effort.
All your marketing difficulties are noted and it is what I feared the most from the onset – CHINA Lighters! If we are peg to China lighters, we definitely cannot compete on price. It would be impossible for us to price at US$0.0455 CIF on our standard lighters. As for refillable lighters, TM has no intentions to venture into this in the near future due to other investment constraints.
My personal opinion is that we should create our own niche market that is between the ‘Clipper’ and China status. Hence, I like your idea in item 3, that is for us to market a premium trendy lighter that can command a decent price. We have done this in the UK before with trendy bright opaque colors for the T 7 and T 6 models. This requires some in depth discussions with you and for you to view some samples at TM. I’m proposing that you visit us at TM at your convenience to explore this option further.
Please review my proposition and let us know your availability in the near future. Thank you once again.