A household name for photography services in Chennai, Konica Color Lab and Studio has over a dozen branches and collection centres spread across the city, serving as quality retail outlets for varied services and photographic accessories. With the best developing and printing facilities in the country, the labs have played a crucial role in promoting the Konica brand, which garnered over 80 percent of the Indian market in 1989. Konica Color Lab is part of Nippon Enterprises South, which is involved in the manufacture and distribution of X-ray films, photographic films, chemicals and paper.

The establishment of the photography chain was a strategic extension of the Group’s range of services, transforming it from a supplier of Konica photographic goods to a converter and marketer of the company’s photography products. Chetan Acharya, Managing Director, recalls, “We realised the potential for retail outlets and launched the first Konica Color Lab at Nungambakkam in 1986. This was soon followed with seven more outlets at prominent locations, at an investment of about Rs 5 crore (approximately US $1 million).”

When Konica Labs was established, its promoters had much more in mind than just taking pictures. It has played a crucial role in the sale of products such as digital cameras, memory cards, batteries, battery chargers, photo frames and camera pouches.