OSAKA — Hon Hai Precision Industry unit Sharp plans to invest in a major Taiwanese mobile phone store operator to boost sales of its LCD televisions and white goods there.

The Japan-based electronics manufacturer agreed Sept. 29 to acquire 33% of Aurora Telecom through a local unit for an estimated 1 billion yen ($8.86 million) or so.

Aurora Telecom operates 148 stores on the island. Parent company Aurora Group has been the Taiwanese agent for Sharp’s office automation equipment, such as multifunction copiers.

Noting that some mobile phone stores also sell home appliances in Taiwan, Sharp President Tai Jeng-wu said the company envisions using Aurora Telecom’s store network as a channel for selling products related to the internet of things, as well as business-to-business offerings.

Sharp has been actively acquiring vendors, with an eye toward expanding sales channels for its multifunction copiers and other business-use equipment in Europe and the U.S. Aurora Telecom marks its first-ever investment in a retailer for bolstering consumer electronics sales.

(Nikkei)


Sharp is Gold Level Sponsor at Jillian Gala