Vi expands retail footprint in India, opens 300 new Vi Shops across five circles

To increase the retail footprint at the sub-district level in India, Vodafone Idea (Vi) has announced the roll-out of 300 new format Vi Shops across multiple towns in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Western Uttar Pradesh. The company also plans to strengthen its local presence and improve engagement with mobile users by increasing its retail footprint and covering more rural areas in the coming months.

“Vi customers in Indapur, Maharashtra; Hapur in Western UP; Basirhat in West Bengal; Usilampatti in Tamil Nadu; Payyoli in Kerala; and hundreds of other such towns will now get access to quick, efficient, face-to-face service from Vi, along with a range of differentiated products and offerings for the new age mobile users,” the company said in a statement.

According to Vi, customers in Tier 3 cities will receive a uniform Vi experience at Vi Shops with quick support and handholding. The design of the new format Vi Shops at the sub-district level is similar to the existing Vi Stores in urban locations. Further, Vi Shops will offer the entire catalog of Vi prepaid products and services and provide less tech-friendly users get Vi services effortlessly.

“There is still a large segment of customers in Rural India, who prefer the comfort and familiarity of face-to-face service through the physical Retail format. Further, rural has been driving the growth of mobile internet usage in India. To cater to this demand, we are taking a renewed approach to our rural retail strategy, through our Vi Shop concept, which will enable millions of Indians to digitally connect for a better future,” said Abhijit Kishore, COO of Vodafone Idea Limited.

With this new format, the company also seeks to enhance engagement with rural consumers by delivering a wide bouquet of offerings in areas such as Jobs & Skilling, Govt. Exam preparation, English language skills, and more.