Virgin Mobile South Africa says it will close 30 of its current 38 stores across the country, as part of a plan to revise its distribution footprint.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the group told BusinessTech that the impact on staff \u201cwill be very low\u201d as \u201cthe balance of stores will be handed over to franchisees, to be used for other purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Excluding the franchised stores, Virgin Mobile SA says it employs approximately 200 people, and a \u201cnumber\u201d of temporary staff, mostly for its call centre operations.<\/p>\n
The company recently became part of the larger \u2018Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa\u2019 group (VMMEA), following a merger agreement with\u00a0Friendi Group in June.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn important benefit of this change for Virgin Mobile in South Africa is a renewed focus on delivering a true Virgin customer experience at every customer touch point,\u201d the group said in a statement on Tuesday (31 July).<\/p>\n
Virgin Mobile says it aims to deliver an \u201cimproved and differentiated customer experience\u201d by leveraging VMMEA best practice and investment in improved systems and processes across all aspects of Virgin Mobile South Africa\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n
It notes that the initiative has already kicked off and is expected to conclude during the first half of 2013.<\/p>\n
Virgin Mobile SA says it will initially reduce its store footprint to fewer stores in key locations in each region and then, over the next 18 months, roll out additional physical points of sale across the country.<\/p>\n
The mobile operator says it aims to convert eight key stores from sales focused franchise stores into full service stores offering our entire range of products and services including sales, renewals, upgrades and customer service and advice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe company will also be offering online sales and service through a new improved website and is exploring new, alternative sales channels that make sense for customers,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Virgin Mobile South Africa\u2019s key store locations will be as follows: Gauteng \u2013 Eastgate, Southgate, Key West and Cedar Square; Western Cape – Canal Walk; Kwa-Zulu Natal \u2013 Pavillion, Galleria; Limpopo – Mall of the North.<\/p>\n
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