Globe to open 12 new full-service telecom stores in first quarter

MANILA, Philippines -  Leading telecommunications firm Globe Telecom plans to open 12 new full-service telecom stores during the first quarter of 2011, in line with its thrust to shift from a communication utility company to a customer-focused and service-driven organization. Globe reaches a milestone in the industry as the first telco to provide its customers with a new concept store.

Showcasing the pioneering “blueprint for the future” concept, Globe opened five new concept stores last month. These are located at SM City Manila, SM City Marikina, SM City Taytay, Gateway Mall, Quezon City and SM City Baguio. The company said it will open five new concept stores, located at Gaisano Mactan in Cebu, SM City Sucat, SM City San Pablo, Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro and SM Novaliches, as well as two new flagship stores at the SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia from February to March, 2011.

Last year, Globe opened eight new stores — its first flagship store at Greenbelt in Makati. This was followed by the opening of three other flagship stores at the Alabang Town Center, SM City North EDSA and Ayala Center Cebu. The company also opened four regional concept stores in 2010.

“Our customers’ response to the opening of each new Globe store is very encouraging. They are happy with the new experience since we make it very easy for them to decide which communication tool best suit their needs,” said consumer sales head Ferdz Dela Cruz.

Globe has veered away from the traditional store concept which is transactional in nature. Each Globe store carries a seamless, semi-circular, two-section design layout which allows anyone to easily browse around the product display as well as request for after sales support. It boasts of a wide array of working mobile phones that the customers can feel, touch and test. There are also laptops with the high speed internet connection of Globe Broadband for everyone to try.

Each store has an express section for fast transactions such as modification of account information and subscription plans; a full-service section for more complex transactions and opening of new accounts; and a cashier section for bill payments. The stores also have a self-help area for customers who want immediate answers or who need to print a copy of their bill and interactive touch screens for easy access to information about the different mobile phones and Globe products and services.

The company will continue to re-design more of its stores in strategic locations nationwide into new concept stores.