Press release
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- New stores to open in London and towns throughout country
- Retail presence could be tripled in a year
- Three year expansion plan includes first ‘retail lite' locations
Virgin Media Inc. (NASDAQ:VMED) today confirmed it would increase its high street footprint over the next three years by opening more retail stores across the UK.
The company has already opened new stores in central Birmingham, Plymouth, Bromley, Leeds and Leicester this year, taking the total number of own-branded stores to 27. Virgin Media has plans to triple its retail presence in a year and will open two new stores in London in the coming months.
Neil Berkett, Virgin Media's chief executive officer, said: "Our continued focus on quality and outstanding service has helped us build a strong customer base. By increasing our high street presence, we'll be able to drive further growth whilst communicating the benefits of Virgin Media's products in a way that makes sense for consumers. We're passionate about bringing content and technology to life and having a strong store network will provide our customers with a truly ‘Virgin' experience at every touch point."
In a year when as many as one in every ten high street shops are expected to stand empty2, Virgin Media is exploring new retail opportunities that showcase the possibilities of the digital home in some of the UK's major shopping destinations.
Peter Taddeo, Virgin Media's managing director of consumer retail, said: "Families up and down the country have made our broadband, TV and mobile services central to their entertainment needs. This expansion will reinforce Virgin Media's presence at the heart of communities across the UK and provide a valuable contact point for existing and potential customers.
"The UK high street is under pressure from many sides, not least the challenging market for retail generally, but we have a number of exciting store openings planned," added Mr Taddeo.
Virgin Media is also introducing a new retail experience - shops without walls - or ‘retail lite' sites. These sites have been described as the UK's most advanced customer facing outlets and will be set up in prominent locations within shopping centres across the country including Meadowhall in Sheffield, The Victoria Centre in Nottingham and The Ropewalk Shopping Centre in Nuneaton.
These staffed sales facilities will showcase Virgin Media's quad-play offering of broadband, TV, home phone and mobile. Each new store and retail lite site will create a small number of local jobs, with staff receiving several months intensive product training.
Virgin Media's cable and mobile services are currently available at a further 4000 retail outlets1, independent stores and via various home shopping catalogues, online at www.virginmedia.com or over the telephone.
