Recent data released by Garmin India, a unit of Garmin Ltd, the global leader in satellite navigation, shows that the company has shipped more than 20 million wearable devices till date. The Garmin wearable strategy is centered on purpose-built devices for consumers who want to measure and enhance their active lifestyle pursuits, whether it’s running, cycling, swimming, golfing, walking, or simply being more active. Garmin was an early mover and pioneer in the wearable market when it introduced the Forerunner 201 in 2003, its first GPS enabled wearable targeting the running market.
The most recent wearable strategy Garmin rolled out is its Connect IQ Application Store, which was established in 2014. Since then users have downloaded over 10 million Connect IQ apps, all of which are free. Connect IQ users on average download approximately 10 apps per device as per data. This high level of engagement is the result of the rich utility that third party apps provide such as maps, weather forecasts, custom workouts, custom data fields, widgets, watch faces, and many more ways to make their devices their own.
“We see huge potential in the Indian wearable market, we would be making our foothold stronger by launching new products and by following comprehensive customer servicing strategies. Our products are built based on the lifestyle followed by our target audience and providing for their every need is an integral part of our brand” said Mr Ali Rizvi, National Sales Manager, Garmin India. “Another aspect that we have tried to cover is personalization. Our customers can personalize the device, such that it becomes ‘their device’ and the personalization option we provide to our customer is something we take huge pride in.” he added.
The Garmin Connect online community was formed in 2005, which recognized the value in storing, tracking, analyzing and sharing of fitness and other data that its customers collect. Today, Garmin Connect has over 15 million user accounts, with 5 million new users joining in 2015 alone. Garmin Connect enhances motivation by enabling users to compete with family and friends who also live active lifestyles, and offers insights to individual users to help them reach health and wellness goals and recognize accomplishments. Then Garmin Connect community is supported by a powerful ecosystem of partners like Nike, Strava, My Fitness Pal and Map My Fitness enabling customers to experience fully the data they collect on their wearable within the community of their choice.