Camera and digital imaging products major Nikon India today said it will hire around 200 people to strengthen its sales force as part of its retail expansion plans in the country.

"Our expansion plans include increasing our sales force. So, this year we would be hiring around 200 demonstrators," Nikon India

Managing Director Hidehiko Tanaka told reporters here. Nikon India plans to expand retail presence to about 800 stores in India this year.

The company said that it aims to achieve a 10 per cent and 40 per cent share in the estimated one-million unit Indian compact camera market and the 13,000 unit SLR camera market, respectively.

"We are planning to make our products available to around 800 shop-in-shop stores this year. Currently, we are present in 100 stores. So our focus this year in India would be expanding our base," he added.

He said the company is targeting major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore for expansion.

Tanaka also said the company is introducing its 'SLR Zone' concept to stores located in other major cities. The concept was recently launched in the National Capital.

The company today launched eight models of its digital compact camera