News 2000
Richard Branson takes on high street with Virgin Mobile electrical superstore
19/06/2000
Britain's shoppers can save up to 50% off high street prices on a range of electrical, domestic and kitchen appliances by using their Virgin Mobile, thanks to the latest addition to its unique Virgin Xtras service.
With average savings of between 10-20% on everything from widescreen TVs to food processors, and up to 50% off on special offers, Virgin Mobile estimates that it could save its customers hundreds of pounds a year.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Mobile, said: 'Our new service effectively puts an entire electrical superstore into the palm of your hand. Virgin Mobile brings consumers a world of savings, and everything they could want for their home at prices they won't find on the high street. This is the finest example of m-commerce ever seen in the UK.'
The range of top-brand goods available to Virgin's customers is vast. For the living room there are DVD players, TVs, stereos, and videos; for the kitchen washing machines, fridges, freezers, hobs and microwave ovens. Then there are vacuum cleaners, cameras, camcorders, computers, printers, shavers, power tools, lawnmowers even bicycles - all at money-saving discounts (a list of items, suppliers and sample savings is attached).
To access the service customers simply select 'shop' on the Virgin Xtras menu on their Virgin Mobile phone and are connected to a team of experts who will advise them on special offers or the types of product they're interested in. If a customer wants information on a specific product, the team will quote the Virgin Xtras price, without any need for the consumer to state their 'best price' first. Goods are delivered free of charge, usually next day if it's in stock, or within 3-5 days anywhere in mainland UK.
Sir Richard said: "The purchasing power of the mobile phone is set to change the face of shopping in Britain. Virgin Mobile customers are able to buy top-branded quality goods wherever they are, at a fraction of the high street price, without any of the hassle of wading through busy shops. The deals are so good shoppers shouldn't buy anything without a call to Virgin Xtras first."
The shopping service goes live on June 19th 2000 and is open Monday-Friday 8am - 9pm and Saturday 8am - 5pm.
Using Virgin Mobile's Xtras customers can also get 10% off most Virgin Holidays and Virgin Sun breaks, and 15% of the price of CDs, DVDs videos and computer games (on orders over £20).
And Virgin Mobile calls are cheap too. With Virgin Mobile, you pay only for the calls you make. There is no line rental, no monthly fees, no ongoing charges, no vouchers that vanish and no high call charges. There are also no peak rates. Standard UK calls cost just 15p a minute for the first five minutes each day, and 5p a minute after that - for up to 23 hours, 55 minutes each day. And voicemail retrieval is free!
For further information please contact:
Steven Day, Virgin Mobile on tel: 07931 777 777
Or contact Debra Burtt, CCM on tel: 020 7208 2714 or 07941 200 300
Notes to editors:
| Virgin Mobile Xtras | Manufacturers |
| Full range of domestic appliances | AEG, Electrolux, Ariston, Bauknect, Gaggenau, Beko, Hoover, Hotpoint, Indesit, Siemens, Candy, Smeg, Creda, Leibherrde Dietrich, Tricity Bendix, Miele, Whirlpool, Zanussi, Bosch |
| Vacuum Cleaners | Dyson, Goblin, Vax |
| Home Entertainment | Aiwa, Akai, Ferguson, Panasonic, Philips, Hitachi, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Bush, JVC, Kenwood, Sony, LG, Thomson, Toshiba |
| Dehumidifyers | Ebac |
| Refrigeration | Ocean, Lec, Amana |
| Specialist Hi Fi | Arcam, Marantz, Denon |
| Cameras | Fuji, Canon |
| Radios | Roberts |
| Telephones/Fax | BT |
| Tumble Dryers | Crosslee |
| Kitchen Appliances | De Longhi, Morphi Richards |
| Pace Satellite Receivers | |
| Nintendo Games |
