Vodafone downunder pulls off landmark deal with retailer

by: admin Monday, July 2nd, 2007

Rating: not as crazy as it looks from here

Australia’s third largest player, Vodafone is banking on a landmark retail deal with the 105-store Crazy John’s chain to keep its revenue growth above 10% for the financial year to March 31 next year, according to a story published today on the Australian IT website.

In Australia, Vodafone has 200 branded retail outlets, which will rise to 305 under the Crazy John’s deal. Melbourne-based Crazy John’s strength is in Victoria, where Vodafone’s position is weaker than in other east coast states.

Until the end of June, Crazy John’s was incumbent Telstra’s second biggest dealer. Now it will sell Vodafone’s pre-paid, contract and small business services. It is also launching its own Crazy John’s branded network.

“It’s a full retail play. I’m not sure the market has digested what this means,” Mr Hewitt said.

For the whole story, see www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22000732-15306,00.html