When the Chinese multinational networking, telecommunications equipment and services company launched its store at Vodacom World in Midrand, Johannesburg in February 2014, they made history as that store became the first Huawei store in Africa. At the event, the company actually revealed their expansion plans which centered on opening additional stores in other parts of South Africa in the nearest future.
Many never knew how far or near that future will be until recently when they announced the official opening of the first two Huawei customer service centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town. These service centres which aside fulfilling their pledge of expanding the tentacles of the company in the country, are majorly targeted towards providing customers with top-notch service in these centres. Services such as training sessions, onsite device repairs, free engraving of devices and sales of extensive range of accessories will be offered at the centres.
Charlene Munilall, GM of Huawei Consumer Business Group SA even asserted that:
“As an innovative brand, Huawei intends to create an interactive space where every customer is important and will be treated as such by our in-store tech heroes. We understand that consumers seek holistic experiences to fit their lifestyles and our service stores succeed in providing this.”
These newly opened stores have been designed to incorporate technology, service, and repair in a flawless manner with the aim of handling to consumer, the convenience they crave from a typical multipurpose free wifi-enabled hub.
“We have seen significant growth in South Africa. Launching a local store is a key element to cater to the growing demand from our customers and further establish our brand in the country,” said Mr Bruce Wong, Huawei Key Account GM for Vodacom.
When this same commitment will spread to other African countries is a question no one has a concise answer to, but its tilting more towards sooner than later because according to Wong “Africa has great potential and is a key market for Huawei.”