Vodafone 1998 Annual Report Download - page 43

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Annual Report and Accounts 1998 - Review of Operations - Distribution
Prior to July 1997 Vodafone had acquired a number of companies operating retail shops under several
different brands. All these high street outlets now operate under the Vodafone name and have a single
store format in line with the new corporate identity.
This network of 240 outlets is the biggest and only truly national chain of mobile phone shops in the UK
and puts the Vodafone brand prominently and powerfully onto the high street. Further outlets will be
opened in major town and city centres.
As well as trading under a common brand name, all 240 outlets now have their 'back office' systems
controlled centrally.
These outlets, which reach
customers that would not
usually consider visiting a
specialist mobile phone
shop, are key to achieving
continued substantial growth
over the coming years
The development of clear and simple in-store customer information,
backed up by high-quality service, is designed to make Vodafone
the number one choice in the rapidly expanding retail market.
Vodafone Connect
The Connect business subdivides into two main parts - specialist independent dealer businesses and
the multiple retailers who have not traditionally sold mobile phones.
The objective is to provide dealers with a full range of support programmes within a consistent,
managed framework, whilst gaining the full benefits that come from entrepreneurial businesses.
A Mobile Phone Centre franchise.
Mobile Phone Centre Limited (MPC), in which
Vodafone raised its share from 45% to 100%
during the year, offers a franchise brand to
selected dealers. By the year end 64 shops
were operating under this banner, with further
expansion planned.
Vodafone Connect is an important distributor
of 'Pay As You Talk', through its agreements
with multiple retailers. These relationships
have already succeeded in opening up a
whole new market for Vodafone.
Distribution has expanded into Woolworths,
Argos, Comet and AA shops, with further
trials under way. These outlets, which reach
customers that would not usually consider
visiting a specialist mobile phone shop, are
key to achieving continued substantial growth
over the coming years.
Vodafone Corporate
The corporate market is substantially different from those served by Vodafone Retail and Vodafone
Connect. Its customer, often a professional Telecoms Manager, is increasingly looking for more
sophisticated products and services, including combined voice and data solutions and sometimes
encompassing combined mobile and fixed telephony.
http://www.vodafone.com/download/investor/reports/annual98/reviewops/distribution.html (2 of 3)29/03/2007 23:08:02