Taiwan-based notebook and retail channel player Clevo, after achieving profit of more than NT$1 billion (US$33.89 million) in 2011 from its retail IT mall business in China, is aiming to see the profit from the IT mall business grow 30% in 2012, while profit from its notebook business is targeted to double on year in 2012, according to market watchers.

Clevo shipped about 1.7 million notebooks in 2011 and is expected to ship the same volume in 2012. However, the company will focus more on models with higher gross margins such as devices for UK's education market and gaming notebook.

With the company heading toward niche markets with its notebook business, its profitability from notebook products is expected to double on year in 2012, up from about NT$360 million in 2011 to NT$720 million, noted market watchers.

Meanwhile, Clevo's IT mall business in China Buynow will also open three more stores in 2012 - a store in Huizhou, China, which is set to establish in the first half, while one in Taizhou, China and one in Suzhou, China, both will be established in the second half.

Market watchers, analyzed from Clevo's performance in 2010, expect Clevo's profit from Buynow will grow to NT$1.6 billion in 2012, up from NT$1.25 billion in 2011.