Vodafone Idea opens 100 new flagship retail stores to drive customer acquisition amid network expansion

Vodafone Idea

Vodafone Idea said that it has expanded its flagship store count by 100 new stores in the last six months in key metropolitan areas, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, to increase customer acquisition amid its ongoing 4G and 5G network expansion.

According to the latest data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the telco recorded its lowest customer churn in February 2025, after the merger of Vodafone and Idea Cellular.

With the 100 new flagship stores, the total number of flagship stores has crossed 500 nationwide. The company operates its Vi flagship stores directly in metro and tier 1 markets.

The telco has also been expanding its overall physical retail footprint, which now includes over 2,500 Vi and Mini stores in 600 cities and towns.

“This focus on customer experience overall appears to be delivering results. The company has reported consistent growth in its retail postpaid segment, perhaps driven by its in-store service experience and sharper value propositions,” Vodafone Idea said in a statement to Moneycontrol.

The telco said flagship stores were also opened in multiple cities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab.

The telco said that over 2,000 Vi mini stores, partner-run outlets in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, are helping with customer acquisition in smaller towns and semi-urban areas.

These stores, opened through Vi’s franchise model, support new partners with setup and operational guidance. These stories also employ more than 9,000 people directly and indirectly.

Vi said that while a large share of its customer concerns is resolved digitally through Vi App, it still serves over 50,000 customers daily across its retail touchpoints.

Alongside retail expansion, Vi has been significantly investing in its network. This includes the ongoing launch of its 5G network and its 4G network enhancements.

In March, Vi launched its commercial 5G services in Mumbai, entering the market over two years after Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio. The company has scheduled rollouts in May in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Patna, and Mysuru.

The 4G upgrades focus on increasing network capacity, improving coverage in high-demand areas, and adding spectrum bands to provide faster speeds and better voice quality.

In an investor presentation filed with the exchanges on April 9, the telco said its late entry into the 5G space allowed it to deploy the latest network innovations, including a Disaggregated Radio Access Network (RAN). This approach drives cost efficiency, enables new service capabilities, and offers greater operational flexibility.