Marketing Statergies For Titan Watches
Marketing Statergies For Titan Watches
Marketing Statergies For Titan Watches
1 Introduction 4
2 Research Methodology 11
5 Conclusion 30
Bibliography 32
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Watch is one of the consumer durables whose replacement rate is very high. The
replacement rate of watch is 33.8 %( Source: India market demographics report, 1998). This
is also due to the fact that the estimated scrap rate of wrist watches is 7.8%, which is
applicable after 6 years (Source: India market demographics report, 1998). So, due to high
scrap rate, outdated models, and the shift from the mechanical watches to the quartz watches
it is causing a very high replacement demand for watches. This along with the low
penetration level represents the untapped market potential for watches in India.
After liberalization of Indian economy in 1992 many international players have entered the
Indian Watch market posing as competitive threat to the Indian companies.
Lately Titan has tried to reposition its Brand to capture more segments of the watch
market retaining the already served market segment. The strategy has been studied in deep
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during the project. Many brands and companies are constantly reinvigorating their businesses
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and positioning them for growth. There is a constant need to innovate, reinvigorate, update,
recalibrate, or just simply fend off the competition in an effort to better explain "why buy
me."
Brand positioning creates a specific place in the market for the brand and product
offerings. It reaches a certain type of consumers and delivers benefits that meet the needs of
several key target groups and user.
In recent times, consumerism has undergone a sea change. Consumers today are well
informed about the products, as compared to earlier times. Hence, the marketplace has
become customer centric. Recognizing the importance of the customers in the business
structure, companies have started effecting brand repositioning exercises on a regular basis.
In the recent times, a major brand repositioning exercise has been planned by Titan
Industries Ltd. in order to provide more to its customers. The company has first gone for
change in logo and tagline. Then the communication strategy has been revamped to convey
its new position. The present study consists of reviewing the positioning strategies of Titan
watches. An analysis of repositioning strategies of Titan also forms part of the study. The
main objective of the study is to find out whether the loyal consumers of titan watches are
aware of the new positioning strategies of the company and how they perceive them.
Primary and secondary sources of data have been made use of in the study. The first
part of the project, i.e., analysis of brand repositioning strategies of Titan Company has been
completed on the basis of secondary data. For this purpose, internet, journals, books,
magazines and so on have been made use of. The second part of the project comprises of
conducting a survey with the help of questionnaire. The survey is proposed to be conducted
on a sample of 50 consumers who are loyal to Titan Company, selected through convenience
sampling technique. The questionnaire consists of appropriate mix of open ended and closed
ended questions. The data is presented using pie charts and bar diagrams. The conclusion part
of the report would provide an insight of consumer awareness regarding brand repositioning
strategies and their effectiveness in revamping the brand, Titan
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
The rapid pace of change and intense competitive pressure in today's marketplace demand
that brands continuously innovate and reinvent themselves to maintain their relevance and
market position. In this context, brand repositioning and other revitalization strategies have
become a business imperative for battling brand erosion. The appeal of brand repositioning is
further heightened by the rising costs and high risk associated with launching a new brand.
Brand repositioning has received little attention in the marketing literature and has
mostly been treated as a variation of brand positioning. Biel, for example, has defined brand
positioning as "building (or rebuilding) an image for a brand". The goal of positioning and
repositioning strategies relates to the management of consumers' perceptions. However,
positioning focuses on the creation of brand associations - consumers' perceptions of the
attributes that differentiate the brand from competitive offers – while repositioning also
implies managing existing brand associations. The unique challenge of a repositioning
Strategy, thus, lies in rejuvenating the brand image to make it relevant in an evolving
environment, while honoring the brand equity heritage.
Repositioning can be required as the market changes and new opportunities occur.
Through repositioning the company can reach customers they not intended to reach in the
first place. If a brand has been established at the market for some time and wish to change
their image they can consider repositioning, although one of the hardest actions in marketing
is to reposition a familiar brand.
According to Solomon, position strategy is an essential part in the marketing efforts because
companies have to use the elements in the marketing mix to influence the customers
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understanding of the position. During the movement from something less attractive and
relevant towards a more attractive and relevant position several of strategic choices has to be
made. The ones responsible for the repositioning have to evaluate why a reposition is
necessary, and if the offer is the one who will change or just the brand name. There are
several risk factors that have to be taken into consideration when preparation for a
repositioning of the offering or the brand. During repositioning, the risk of losing the
credibility and reliability is high and the need for a thorough strategy is therefore necessary to
avoid this occurrence.
Some analyst argue that to successfully reposition a establish brand name is almost
impossible because repositioning of a brand can make the most loyal customer to switch
brand. But, in some circumstances a repositioning is necessary to gain credibility if the brand
is eroded. Whenever a reposition is in question it has to be of relevance from a customer
perspective, is this achievable? Some brands will on no account be thought on as a luxury
brand and therefore an attempt to reposition will only damage the brand image or the actual
company.
Research into brand repositioning is relevant not only to the development of brand
management theory, but also extends to corporate strategy through an examination of
corporate brands.
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1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW:
The repositioning strategy is rolled out in three stages: introductory, elaboration and
fortification stages. This involves the introduction of a new or a repositioned brand, seeking
to underline the brand‟s value over others, and to broaden the brand proposition. It is truly
tough to change the customer‟s perceived attitude towards a brand, and therefore the risk is
great that the attempt to repositioning might be unsuccessful.
After rolling out the strategy, it is time to modify the proposition through update of
the personality and through repositioning. There are benefits and risks with both of this
segments and it is of great significance that they are truly evaluated when deciding the next
step in the process.
Selecting Appropriate
Establishing the Marketing Mix
Brand Proposition
-Fortification Stage
The implication with the term” repositioning” is that a company modifies something that is
already present in the market and in the consumer‟s mind. The definition of repositioning
changes different individuals and professions.
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To view the different definitions and perceive a greater understanding about this concept,
three examples of repositioning given by individuals in different professions is stated below:
“Repositioning is a change, principally about trigging the vision, mission and value in a new
direction that is more suited for the brand in the future”.
-Brand manager consultant
“Repositioning is built upon the change unique and differentiated associations with the brand
in some kind of direction, it is about having a balance between the category party and
differentiation when using reposition strategies”
-Leading brand strategist
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As stated in the literature, repositioning is a very complicated matter and therefore there are
no detailed theories or models. The aim with repositioning differ from person to person, and
the only connection between all the different theories is that repositioning is moving
something from somewhere towards a greater position at the market.
(1) Zero repositioning, which is not a repositioning at all since the firm maintains its initial
Strategy in the face of a changing environment;
(2) Gradual repositioning, where the firm performs incremental, continuous adjustments to its
positioning strategy to reflect the evolution of its environment; and
(3) Radical repositioning that corresponds to a discontinuous shift towards a new target
market and/or a new competitive advantage.
After examining the repositioning of several brands from the Indian market, the
following types of repositioning have been identified. These are:
4. Falling sales
It is not always that these nine categories are mutually exclusive. Often one reason leads to
the other and a brand is repositioned sometimes for a multiplicity of reasons.
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A four-phased brand repositioning approach can be followed to achieve the
Intended benefits:
The benefits that can be derived from brand repositioning exercises can be summarized as:
Updated personality
Relevant position
Loss of focus
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Therefore, brand repositioning is more difficult than initially positioning a brand because one
must first help the customer “unlearn” the current brand positioning (easier said than done).
Three actions can aid in this process:
(2) New products, packaging, etc. that emphasize the new positioning and
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CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1Objectives:
further Improve its brand perception and loyalty among its customers.
This study would help titan industry to understand the gaps in its communication
strategy regarding brand repositioning exercises and the further measures to be taken for
effective marketing communications.
2.2 Limitations:
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2.3 Sources of Data collection
The relevant data was collected from both primary sources and secondary sources.
The starting point of my information gathering has been the secondary sources such as
internet, books, and journals and so on.
First, I made a study of the brand positioning and repositioning strategies of Titan
watches through secondary sources such as internet, insurance magazines, and journals
and so on. Then I conducted a consumer awareness survey on brand repositioning
strategies undertaken by Titan watches in recent times.
A sample of 50 consumers who are brand loyal to Titan watches since more than a
year and in the age group of 20 – 30 years have been considered for this study. As Titan has
taken up brand repositioning strategies since July 2008, consumers who have seen the
previous and new campaign have been targeted
Data was collected through an interview schedule, consisting of both open ended
and closed ended questions. The schedule covered parameters like reasons for consumers‟
brand preference; recollection of earlier tagline and advertisement, brand ambassador of
Titan; awareness of new tagline and campaign featuring Aamir Khan, new designs and so on.
The data was collected through e- mails, telephone contacts and one-to-one personal
interviews.
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CHAPTER 3:
3 Overall strategies:
When the company launched its products, it was the first to bring quartz watches to
the Indian market. The company successfully leveraged this to penetrate the market and gain
13.a market share. Raga, Classique and Regalia come under this strategy. Classique has been
positioned as elegant corporate wear that leaves a quiet, but definite impression and fusion of
function and sophistication. Power dressing now has a new weapon! As Magic in gold and
bicolour look, the 'Regalia' range represents the essence of dress-wear. Raga has been
differentiated and positioned as exclusive watches for women. The Raga and Silver Raga
collection is elegant, delicate and feminine with each piece being truly unique.
Titan caters to several user groups- children (the Dash), sportspersons and
adventurers (PSI4000 and Fast track range). The Fast track range is seen as being
contemporary, sturdy and reliable. The advertising, packaging and merchandising of this
range is young, vibrant and „cool‟ (the ad line says “Cool watches by Titan”)
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3.3Benefit Positioning Strategies:
The Fast track Digital range offers the customer a functional watch that is also
attractive. The digital watch has a “techno-geek” image, but Titan seeks to differentiate its
offering on the basis of superior style and attractiveness.
With the entry of several foreign watchmakers into the market, Titan had to
counter the threat. Most of the entrants are catering to the upper end of the market- Omega,
Tissot, and Cartier etc. Titan already had the Tanishq brand in this segment. However, it has
tried to reposition this brand by increasing the price range to encourage more customers.
In the overseas market, especially in Europe where it is competing with Swiss and
Japanese watches, it is positioning itself as „value- for- money‟: reasonably priced (less than
Swiss watches and higher than Japanese), attractively styled and of good quality. In Indian
market, Sonata is a perfect example of Price positioning, titan came up with this segment
when it was facing heavy competition from lower end segment.
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CHAPTER 4 :
TITAN WATCHES: BRAND REPOSITIONING STRATEGIES
Titan Industries decided to revamp its flagship watch brand, Titan, with the intention of
making it more youthful and relevant to the changing times. The brand, launched more than
24 years ago, has undergone a major repositioning exercise only once before – five years ago,
when Hindi film actor Aamir Khan was appointed brand ambassador. What followed later
was the „What‟s Your Style?‟ campaign, which tried to increase watch consumption
per person, by suggesting the use of different watches for different occasions.
Beyond Style
Now, Titan wants to move from style statements to personality statements. According to
Harish Bhatt, chief operating officer, watches, Titan Industries, a watch ought to denote the
wearer‟s mood and personality. “With the explosion of options in a person‟s life, our core
consumer is changing. And to keep up with them, Titan has evolved too,” he says. On the
adoption of „Be More‟, Bhatt says that that statement is supposed to denote the aspirations of
consumers to make more of their lives and be whatever they want to be. “The watch allows
for such imaginative travels,” he says.
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4.1 MARKETING MIX:
· PRICE
· PRODUCT
· PROMOTION
· PLACE
1. PRICE:
As achieve our marketing our marketing objectives, we can do some change in the pricing.
A. Survival:
In case of some of the watches titan prices them according to the features .The
Exacta is a simple steel watch priced at Rs.600-1,100. As the company also deals
with Spectra, Raga through pricing policy.
B. Market share:
As we know that 70% of sales in watches come from the lower segment, therefore
by pricing Sonata at 350 onwards with guarantee. Titan prices its world watches
which compared equal to an international players like Calvin Klien where a
customer pays 4 times as value of the world watch, therefore market with low prices
to international players to gain market share.
C Market Skimming:
In Indian watch industry there is no one offering pure gold watches, watches in pair jewellery
watches. Here Titan offers there product with the Indian touch in its design, the product, the
love.
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2. PRODUCT:
Quality and leadership are the two main terms for the Titan. As to achieve the marketing
objectives this aspects should also be considered.
A. Product line:
To increase the sales, the differences in the prices of the watches are justified by the
features.
B. Product pyramid:
C.Product strategy:
Titan was first focused only on the premium segment of the watch market. As per the
product strategy they took, Titan moved in to the mass market for watches. To widen
base, Titan created new segments and increasingly focusing on segments individually.
In the past few years Titan has took a lot of initiatives to focused on specific
segments.
D.Product Quality:
Quality and leadership are synonymous to Titan. It seeks to achieve both through their
value for products compared to their prices.
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3. PROMOTION:
Promotional pricing:
A. Marketing pricing:
As by opening new shops such as the world of Titan – buy directly from the dealer
and hence the element of middleman is not there.
Here the retailer in this category buys watches for 17-18% lesser than MRP and hence they
are able to get the 17% profit margin on sales.
Price discount and allowances: Every year Titan comes with a price discount sale on the
MRP of the watches. The allowance varies from one segment to another.
The prize winning design was launched as a new watch in summer 2002 collection.
Type of advertising: Titan believes in making its ads clean, well made, touch on emotional
chord. As the company is using celebrities or superstars that is Amir Khan for the Titan
watches.
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4. PLACE:
Keeping in mind about the young trendy and fashionable consumers, Titan distribute its
product and set up „world of titan‟ in different region. The consumer‟s life style in India,
especially in urban area (because the turnover in urban area is 210 million, while the turnover
in rural area is 90 million) plays a significant role in the success of Titan.
A. Time Zone:
Titan Industries brings together the country‟s leading watch brands under one roof,
providing the customer with variety in brands, looks and price ranges and also
efficient after-sales service. These 1142 Time Zones located across 89 towns which
offer its customer the complete watch shopping experience.
B. Value Mart:
These outlets sell surplus stocks of Titan watches at reduced prices. By doing these it
offering fabulous value for money with the same warranty as a regular full-priced
watch enjoy. However these shops would not be placed in the main locations and not
working as a normal shops. This is to make the customer go to the shop rather than
the shop calling the customer and hence the locations are not very suitable for
shopping.
C. Sonata Stores:
A Sonata store is also an Authorized Service Centre for Sonata & Titan brands.
Sonata store meet the large scale demand for the watch and also to attract customers
in more. These shops had full stocks of the watch in demand whereas the others could
afford to maintain only limited stock.
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4.2 CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOR:
Cultural
Social
Subculture Family
Age and life-cycle Psychological
Social Class Roles and statuses stage
Motivation
Occupation
Perception
Economic
Learning
circumstances
Buyer
Beliefs and
Lifestyle
attitudes
Personality and
self-concept
A. Cultural Factors
· Social class
B.Social Factors
C.Personal Factors
· Economics Circumstances
· Occupation
· Lifestyle
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D.Psychological Factors
· Motivation
· Perception
· Learning
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NEED ANALYSIS
Consumers need:
The demand and the need vary one market segment to another segment on the basis of prices
& quality.
The current need can be satisfied by the following ways in the different segment.
High class: Titan offered Aurum and Royale in gold watch range .They were
stylish watches in all gold and precious metals.
Middle income class: Titan offered the Exacta range in stainless steel. There
were 100 different models in the range. The prices ranges are between Rs.500-
700.
Lower-income group: Titan offered the Timex watches and later, when the
arrangement with Timex was terminated, the SONATA range.
The prices ranges were Rs.350-500.There was 200 different models in the
ranges.
Current marketing objectives of TATA are to strengthen India‟s Industrial base through the
proper utilization of resources like employee and materials. Besides, the company seeks to
reach the height of excellence atmosphere which is free from fear and threat.
Performance Analysis
Titan Industries achieved significant growth during the year ended 2007-08. Watch segment
sales also grew by 17.2 per cent to Rs 918.7 crore. All brands of the company have performed
well and new introductions in gents‟ watches, the Raga Crystal for ladies.
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STP ANALYSIS
SEGMENTATION:
Dividing the market by grouping the customer with similar tastes and preferences into one
segment is called is called “segmentation”.
Segmentation help marketers understand the needs of different customers better and serve
them with better value propositions.
· Segment Marketing
· Individual Marketing
· Niche Marketing
· Local Marketing
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A) SEGMENT MARKETING:
Marketers target more than one segment when it is not economically feasible to
design products and services for individual segments. The focus of segmenting the
market will be on providing enhanced service to the customer by offering customized
products that will satisfy the needs and wants of customer in that particular segment to
a large extent. Segmentation is also sometimes identifying, capturing and retaining
potential new markets.
TITAN PERSPECTIVE
Mass
Mid-premium
luxury
B) INDIVIDUAL MARKETING:
TITAN PERSPECTIVE
C) NICHE MARKETING:
A niche is more narrowly defined group, typically a small market whose needs are not
well served. Marketers usually identify niches by dividing a segment into sub
segments or defining a group seeking a distinctive mix of benefits.
TITAN PRESPECTIVE
In a study conducted to study the customers of watch market, it is revealed that 42%
of them are youth. So, TITAN tried to target this by:
· introducing FAST TRACK
· price offering from Rs 500(affordable)
· watches with style statements
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D) LOCAL MARKETING:
Marketing programs being tailored to the needs and wants of local customer groups.
The prominence of local marketing has also become very dominant.
TITAN PERSPECTIVE
All the products of TITAN are addressed to all the customers as a whole. Localized
products are not available. But some products which are available in UK have some
pictures of eminent personalities on their Dial like M.K. Gandhi, Mr. Jawaharlal
Nehru, etc. so that the customers can identify the product with those dignitaries.
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SWOT ANALYSIS:
A. Strength
1. Style:
Titan first introduced the „style‟ concept in India and projected the watch as a fashion
accessory. Now a day‟s style is a very much evident factor among the youth. And
there is a craze for stylish wristwatch. So, Titan makes the peoples life more glorious
by making stylish wristwatch.
2. Models:
As Titan offers the best and the biggest range to customer to choose the watch of their
choice with an affordable price.
It offers about 14 different names with about 1000plus different varieties with a watch
for literally everyone.
3. Exclusive products:
Today Titan holds the pride for say that its products both within the country and
internationally running in battle position. Its EDGE the slimmest watch in the world
position.
Contribution of owned brands and retail. The profit is accounted by being in the retail
space which is booming.
Watches are available with popular functions like dates, multifunction and
chronographic.
Guarantee/warranty
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B. Weaknesses
1. Pricing:
The average price of Titan in mid-price segment is very high than the other
competitor. Average price for Titan is Rs.1100 while the price for HMT is Rs.550. In
the mid-price segment the company is not performing up to the mark due to the lack
of choice of consumers.
2. Market share:
As the average price of Titan wristwatch is far more than the other competitor, Titan
has less market share. The market is more demonstrate by middle class people and for
them Titan is quite costly. Among 75% market share in mid-segment. Titan market
share is between 18-20% which is far lower than HMT and Maxima.
3. Globalized:
As the company is Indian based which leads it to the strength, where as it is the
weakness also because the company not sufficiently globalized.
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C. Opportunities
1. Seasonality:
At the time of festival, like Diwali Titan promotes Nebula, Bandhan because there is
demand for the products.
-The fast track brand is promoted in month of June-August when schools and
colleges re-open.
2. Gifting concept:
Titan started as a brand which was associated with gifting and relation. The fight
concept sells well for people have come to associate Titan with love care and makes
emotion run high.
3. Exchanging offer:
The Titan stores offer exchange offer of any old watch, of any make, in any condition
functional or otherwise and receive a flat discount of 25% on their purchase of a
brand new, stylish and technologically advanced watch from Titan.
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D. Threats
1. Competitor:
As we know that lots of foreign brands are entering in our country with their branded
watches. As the removal of quantitative restrictions on import watches leads to threat
to titan.
2. Premium segment:
As in premium segment Titan is getting threats from reputed international brand such
as Espirit, Swatch and Citizen.
3. Mobile:
Now a day‟s people can get the time and the other feature in mobile phone. So, the
need of wristwatch is in decreasing trend. People can talk and see the time in a cell
phone and some people think that there is no need of wristwatch.
4. Marketing Objectives:
Titan industries in watch hold 70% in domestic level and 60% in Share in organized
sector market. Companies the marketing objectives is to increase in market share by
5%.Before implementing the of marketing strategies we must have to focus on certain
things, which include the BCG Matrix representation.
A Titan industry has registered an Income of Rs.1, 104.85 crore as compared to previous year
which was Rs 7, 25.11. In all the income the Titan industry had contributed Rs.3, 03.45 crore.
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CHAPTER 5- CONCLUSION
To increase its visibility, Titan Company can sponsor events similar to fashion shows in
which all latest designs launched are displayed. This would have multiplier effect as the
latest designs launched by the company get noticed by different segments of the customers
in varied ways.
Tie up with FM radio channels for reminder advertisements and informing customers about
various sales promotion offers from time-to-time.
Invest more in R&D as customer expectations are changing rapidly. Though Titan has got
more product collections, it should focus on introducing more varieties in already existing
product collections. In other words, having a limited but more depth in product collections
would be more advantageous.
Introduce exclusive collection for working women which is more contemporary and
complements both traditional and western wear.
Majority of the population in India live in rural areas. So, showrooms should be set up at
places nearer to them. Introduce cheaper and rough use watches for this segment.
After sales service has to be improved. That is, the process of servicing and repairing of
watches should be made faster. This can be done by ensuring the spare parts availability
and training all sales personnel in Titan showrooms to undertake these tasks.
Tie up with international watch brands and make them available locally.
Make use of internet to spread awareness among consumers about the brand.
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CHAPTER 6
SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Varied responses were received for this question. All the responses have been
summarized as follows:
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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WIBLIOGRAPHY
www.titanwold.com
www.tata.com/titan
www.google.com
www.indianfoline.com
www.economictimes.com
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