The agreement with Nashua Mobile will allow Orange to extend its business, which is currently based exclusively on the online commercialisation of specialist electronic and telecoms-related products, to the provision of a fully-fledged in-store service throughout South Africa, complete with support for travellers, both inbound and outbound.
"This is another world first for Orange in which South Africa is the first market where this is being implemented. Orange Horizons, Orange's subsidiary for seeking out new business opportunities in countries where the group is not already present as a mass-market telecommunications provider, targeted South Africa as a key entry market in the African space and today's announcement is an
important step forward in our overall development strategy," said Sébastien Crozier, CEO of Orange Horizons.
Nashua Mobile CEO Mark Taylor said this innovative partnership will benefit locals as well as foreign customers of Orange. "Nashua Mobile is one of South Africa's largest independent telecommunications service providers, and we're delighted to provide the first physical presence here for Orange," he said. "This partnership showcases the continued expansion of both companies and offers local and international customers greater choice and service."
The first Nashua Mobile stores to incorporate Orange products and an in-store Orange-brand presence will be in Sandton City in Johannesburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria and both Icon Centre and Canal Walk in Cape Town. All products will also be available through the online store for travellers not passing through these areas.
Both the online and physical stores will offer SIM cards from the Orange footprint, starting with France and Botswana. These will be marketed in particular for professionals or tourists travelling from South Africa to countries in which Orange is already present. This will allow travellers to be able to better prepare their journeys, like having their local phone number before their trip.
For example, South Africans going to France will be able to purchase:
In Nashua Mobile stores, the Orange corners will also offer services to those Orange customers travelling to South Africa, starting again with customers originating from France and Botswana. For example, an Orange France customer will be able to replace his/her SIM card in case of a lost or stolen phone, and activate international services.
"Nashua Mobile has more than 150 retail outlets and more of those stores will roll out the Orange brand over time. The company's focus is on saving its customers time and money, so cutting communication costs when they travel abroad is a key part of that goal," Taylor said.
"After the launch of Orange's e-commerce activity, Nashua Mobile was an obvious choice of partner to support our expansion into physical stores. Nashua Mobile offers a large network of some 150 selling partners strategically placed across South Africa as well as an exceptionally strong brand-presence and customer loyalty thanks to their quality of service and expert product knowledge," said Crozier. "Orange already offers to its roaming customers great deals across its entire footprint, but we will now be able to offer services in a physical space for French and Botswana customers visiting South Africa, where the group is not present as an operator. In addition, South Africans will be able to better prepare their trips abroad by subscribing to services offered by Orange France or Orange Botswana before they have even left home!"
For more information, go to www.orange.com or www.nashuamobile.com.
