Vodafone talks up UK High Street as it opens new stores

Vodafone has announced plans to take on at least 24 empty UK premises by the end of this year and fit them out as new retail stores as part of its franchise programme. The first two opened this month in Morecambe, Lancashire and St Austell, Cornwall

It says that customers are increasingly using its digital personal assistant - TOBi - and My Vodafone app to research products and services and then following up with a visit to a store to make the purchase

Vodafone’s stores attract more than 20 million visits per year, with 70% of pay monthly mobile sales coming from this channel. Approximately a third of the company’s existing 400 plus stores now form part of its franchise programme, with more than 50 added so far this year.

Vodafone UK Chief Executive Officer Nick Jeffery says: “As a business with its roots in the UK, we are keen to do what we can to help local communities, whether that is giving local entrepreneurs the opportunity to be their own boss of a retail store or extending our network to remote areas.”

“New services have helped us become the fastest growing home broadband provider this year and attract thousands of new mobile customers every week. With this momentum, we are looking to extend our high street presence so that we can provide face-to-face advice and support to even more customers.”