Cellucom expands reseller network with four new partnerships

The new partners include Duty Free Dubai Ports, with two outlets - Port Rashid and Jebel Ali Free Zone, ODEL Style - a division of Al Safeer Group of companies - who have signed five outlets as part of the network, including stores in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah, 24SEVEN, with outlets in Sharjah (Buheira Corniche), Dubai (Garhoud) and Dubai Media City now to be part of the network, and Salam Studio & Stores in Wafi City.

Already operational, as part of the network, are the three 24SEVEN outlets, and the Salam Studio & Stores shop in Wafi City. The other six new Val-U-Shop outlets are expected to become operational in the course of next week.

Launched in June this year, the Val-U-Shop reseller network aims at building Cellucom's community of retailers/dealers and developing its market presence in the GCC region. The franchise was developed in recognition of the changing relationship between distributors and resellers, which demand more support in terms of the sharing of expertise - given the growing complexity of mobile telecommunication products - and backing for marketing programmes.

The Val-U-Shop network also has many consumer advantages, for instance, people shopping at any point on the network can avail all facilities offered by Cellucom, including trade-in facilities, 30-minute phone repair or replacement, games and software and a five-country warranty.

"Val-U-Shop has received a great deal of interest from the retail community and we are in the process of assessing the establishment of new partnerships," said Arun Nagar, Managing Director of Cellucom. The company is looking to appoint a total of 50 dealers from the UAE as part of the Val-U-Shop network before the end of 2003. Among those already part of the franchise, are Jacky's Electronics, Grand Stores and Oasis Enterprises.

Headquartered in Dubai, Cellucom is an established distribution partner for Nokia and other industry leaders. The company will embark on the second phase of its Val-U-Shop network expansion before the end of this year, starting with the appointment of resellers in Bahrain and then moving on to other parts of the GCC.