Polaroid To Make Instant Camera Comeback In Japan
The Japanese unit of U.S. firm Summit Global Group, which has exclusive rights to manufacture and market Polaroid products, said Thursday that it will relaunch sales of the brand's instant cameras next spring. Instant cameras were once a worldwide hit, but demand for these film-based devices shrivelled on the rise of digital cameras. Summit Global sees a market for parties and other occasions and also anticipates demand from businesses. Starting with black-and-white film next spring, the company will bring the Polaroid 1000 instant camera to Japan in the summer, with prices to be decided. Polaroid Corp. filed for bankruptcy last December, after which only inventory was sold in Japan. It is now rebuilding under a new sponsor. Summit Global's Japanese unit will be responsible for marketing the brand's major products. It will launch online sales of such Polaroid brand offerings as digital cameras and mobile printers Friday. Sales will gradually be expanded to electronics mass merchandisers and other retailers. Japanese sales are targeted at 12 billion yen in three years.
Japanese report here.
