Speaking to reporters after the launch of the interactive centre in the city on Wednesday, Pond's India Ltd marketing manager Shrijeet Mishra said three kiosks have already been launched in New Delhi, two in Mumbai and one each in Hyderabad and Calcutta. Bangalore has also joined the ranks of metros that will have the facility.

The company has simultaneously launched three other services to facilitate consumer preference. The services include a telephonic helpline to provide consultancy service to consumers about Pond's products. A website has also been launched for the purpose. A customer response centre has simultaneously been opened to encourage customers to write in with their queries orcomplaints.

The company is planning arrange more kiosks and mobile vans during the year.The consumer facilitation campaign has cost the company Rs 1 crore, which is not part of the annual ad-spend of the company. Each interactive facility has been set up at a cost of Rs 1.7 to Rs.2 lakh. The company is not expecting to recover this investment in the short run. According to Mishra, the kiosks are an innovative concept in consumer care. The screen at the "consumer interactive centre" comes alive to various queries on touch besides providing information about the company, its various products, information of skin types and the nature of skin care required for each type. Tips on fashion, trends, food and exercise are also available at the touch of a finger.

Mishra said though the company receives a large number of queries from men, it is not planning to branch out into cosmetics for men. Neither does the company have any plans to launch a full range of colour cosmetics.

Hindustan Lever at present has fourranges of cosmetics--Pond's, Lakme, Fair and Lovely and Vaseline. Though some products are quite similar in nature in the four ranges, the company is trying to find a niche for each range with specialised products, he said.