Vodafone to take over 24 empty premises for franchise stores
Vodafone has unveiled plans to take over at least 24 empty premises by the end of this year and fit them out as new retail stores.
The new shops, two of which have already opened in Morecambe and St Austell, will be part of Vodafone’s franchise programme.
This is the first time that Vodafone has extended its franchise operation to include empty shops. Vodafone said it franchisees will not be required to pay upfront costs and that their stores will come ready stocked with the latest smartphones, wearables and connected devices.
Vodafone has revealed that its stores attract more than 20 million visits per year and account for the majority of sales. Some 70% of pay monthly mobile sales come from its retail outlets.
More than a third of Vodafone’s 400 strong store portfolio is now part of its franchise programme, including 50 shops added this year.
Vodafone UK chief executive Nick Jeffery said: “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.”
