The retail industry and community in India play a crucial role in the country's economy, contributing over 10% to the GDP and employing 8% of the working population. As a leading player in the Indian smartphone industry, vivo India recognises and understands the significance of retailers and partners in our success. We firmly believe that our achievements are intertwined with the prosperity of our partners and retailers, and we are wholeheartedly committed to supporting them in every possible way.

At vivo India, we deeply understand the pivotal role our esteemed partners play as the face of our brand in the market. We are wholeheartedly committed to working closely with them, fostering their growth, and ensuring their resounding success. Our unwavering dedication to our partners is evident in our continuous efforts to enhance our products, services, and overall retail experience. We firmly believe in cultivating robust, enduring relationships with our partners, firmly grounded in trust, transparency, and mutual growth.

The smartphone industry holds an esteemed position within the Indian retail landscape, and entrepreneurs across the country recognize its significance. Even in small towns and rural areas, many aspiring business owners choose to establish retail shops specifically catering to smartphones. These visionary retailers perceive smartphones as a promising and lucrative source of stable, growing income, representing a valuable economic opportunity. They eagerly seek partnerships with brands like vivo, acknowledging our capability to support their business continuity as they embark on their retail endeavours.

But how do we provide support to our partners?

Provide growth and stability in an ever-changing market

In our unwavering commitment to supporting our partners, we provide them with a nurturing environment that promotes growth and stability amidst the ever-changing market dynamics. At vivo India, we view our retail partners as an integral part of our family, and they reciprocate this sentiment. We offer them abundant opportunities to thrive, ensuring their businesses remain sustainable and adaptable to evolving user expectations.

Over the course of their 6-7 years of association with vivo, our retailers have witnessed exponential growth in their businesses, attributing this remarkable progress to the pivotal role we play as a brand in driving their success. Many retailers credit vivo for contributing more than 50% of their annual business value. Their journey began with modest investments ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000, stocking a limited inventory of 8 to 20 vivo smartphones.* However, through their association with us, they have experienced exceptional growth, with turnovers reaching several crores.

Some of our valued retailers have expanded their storefronts, while others have ventured into multiple locations, establishing chains with five or more branches across various markets within a single city or town. Remarkably, prominent merchants with annual sales exceeding ₹5 crore attribute one-third of their profits to vivo. The value we bring to their businesses is manifold.

Our contribution to their revenues ranges from 20% to 22%, illustrating that one out of every five rupees they earn stems from selling vivo smartphones.

For large retailers with turnovers of ₹5 crore or more, we contribute a significant one-third of their business.

Many retailers have witnessed their businesses grow twofold during their association with us over approximately five years. Some have expanded their shops in terms of size, while others have ventured into new locations, diversifying their operations.

Fueling the entrepreneurship legacy and supporting first time retailers

In the midst of a booming retail industry, a new generation of visionary entrepreneurs has stepped onto the stage, carrying forward their family's business legacy while blazing new trails in the ever-evolving landscape. Driven by their unwavering passion for cutting-edge smartphones, these trailblazers have seized this realm as a lucrative business opportunity, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive.

Among these aspiring retailers, many have witnessed their careers soar to new heights through their association with vivo. We are immensely proud to have played a significant role in providing them with this remarkable business opportunity, empowering their journey towards success.

Through our exclusive program, we have extended a transformative opportunity to our retail partners, enabling them to receive valuable education at the esteemed XLRI in Jamshedpur. This immersive experience equips them with invaluable skills and knowledge, enabling them to navigate the dynamic retail landscape with confidence and competence. But our commitment to their growth doesn't end there. We continuously strive to enrich the lives of our partners by offering exceptional opportunities for international trips, invigorating cruises, and engaging in other activities that fuel their ongoing learning and development. These experiences not only broaden their horizons but also ignite their passion for growth and discovery. As a result, our young trade representatives take immense pride in their association with vivo. We have not only brought them financial success and social recognition but have also fulfilled their social, emotional, and economic needs, contributing holistically to their overall personal growth.

Shaping the Retailer’s Influencer Dream

In the era of social and digital platforms, smartphone retailers have embraced the power of connectivity to forge meaningful connections with their users and audience. Establishing a strong presence on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, these enterprising retailers have harnessed the potential of content creation to showcase their products. Remarkably, some of these retailers have amassed over 50,000 followers on specific social media platforms, becoming influential voices in their own right.

At vivo, our relentless focus on user-centric innovations provides these retailers with an abundance of content to captivate and engage their audiences through social media channels. Our smartphones offer a myriad of features and functions, presenting endless possibilities for creating captivating videos that highlight the unique capabilities of our devices. Many of these digital influencers prefer using vivo smartphones as their tool of choice for content creation.

They appreciate how vivo consistently produces content that they can leverage on their platforms, further enhancing their reach and engagement. This advantageous collaboration allows them to expand their digital footprint effectively, without incurring direct expenses on advertising and marketing.

The impact on their business is profound. These smartphone retailers now perceive themselves as influencers and local celebrities within their communities. The ability to connect with their audience through digital platforms has not only elevated their brand presence but has also created an additional source of earnings. They are delighted that vivo facilitates this aspect with our exceptional product line and innovative features.

As these retailers embrace their roles as digital influencers, they discover new avenues for success and recognize the immense value of their partnership with vivo. By providing them with the tools and resources to become influential voices in their communities, we empower them to flourish in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Together, we celebrate their accomplishments as they harness the power of social media, unlock new revenue streams, and continue to inspire their audience with compelling content.

*IIR 2022

India Impact Report 2022