STOCKHOLM, Sweden, August 1, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Vodafone in Sweden and ElGiganten have concluded a collaboration agreement with the aim of offering Vodafone as a mobile operator to ElGiganten customers. Vodafone will be represented at all ElGiganten stores throughout Sweden.
ElGiganten is a part of the Elkjoep Group, which is the largest trading company in the Nordic region in the fields of consumer electronics and electric household appliances. Vodafone's agreement with ElGiganten will open up the market for a completely new kind of distribution channel for Vodafone in Sweden.
The aim of the initiative is to further improve ElGiganten's chances of winning market share of telecoms sales in Sweden.
"Vodafone is the ideal partner for us now that we're aiming to expand the range of products available in our stores," said Per oeyvind Soersveen, Director of Purchasing at Elkjoep. "Initially, we will be focusing on private consumers, but we will soon be able to offer various corporate solutions as well."
"We are delighted about this collaboration agreement with ElGiganten. The sharp growth of ElGiganten stores in Sweden and the company's strong presence in both the Nordic region and Europe create an international perspective that we at Vodafone consider to be very positive," said Goran Mannerstrale, Commercial Director of Consumer at Vodafone in Sweden.
Vodafone's products and services will be available at all ElGiganten stores in Sweden at the beginning of August.
For more information, please contact:
Vodafone Goran Mannerstrale, Commercial Director, Consumer Tel: +46 708 33 18 45, e-mail: goran.mannerstrale@vodafone.se Elkjoep Per oeyvind Soersveen, Director of Purchasing Tel: +47 930 401 03, e-mail: per.oyvind.sorsveen@elkjop.no
Europolitan Vodafone AB is listed on Attract 40 on the Stockholm Stock Exchange's O list. Vodafone's operations in Sweden are carried out by Europolitan Vodafone AB and its subsidiaries, Vodafone Sverige AB and Vodafone Stores AB. The majority shareholder is Vodafone Group Plc, which owns 71 per cent of the shares, while private shareholders, investment companies and pension funds own the remaining 29 per cent. The Vodafone Group is the world's largest mobile network and is represented in 28 countries on 5 continents. It has more than 229 million mobile telecom users. Our services enhance the efficiency of companies' operations and make it simpler and more fun for people to communicate. Read more at www.vodafone.se and www.vodafone.com.
ElGiganten AB is a part of the Elkjoep Group, which is the largest trading company in the Nordic region in the fields of consumer electronics and electric household appliances. Elkjoep had net sales of NOK 7.65 billion in the 2001/2002 financial year. The Group has an established retail trade business in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Hungary, focusing primarily on the superstore concept. All 150 stores in the Group get their product deliveries mainly from their own distribution operation with a central warehouse in Jonkoping. The Elkjoep Group is owned by U.K. firm, Dixons Group Plc., and has around 3,000 employees.
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