Indian retail giant Future Group and fast-growing telecom operator Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) today announced the launch of T24 – a unique mobile service on the GSM platform that offers customers shopping benefits for talking, and talk-time benefits for shopping.
The new service was commercially launched at a press conference jointly addressed by TTSL MD Anil Sardana and Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani in Hyderabad.
“T24, which stands for Talk 24, was a natural choice of brand-name for us in this unique partnership, one that will provide customers with a dual advantage 24 hours a day – ‘Shop More, Talk More’ and ‘Talk More, Shop More’,” said Sardana of TTSL.
Calling it a unique marketing alliance between a retailer and a telecom operator in India, he said, “It offers us direct access to millions of Future Group customers through its widespread retail presence across India.”
Stressing that T24 service will offer customers shopping benefits for talking and talk-time benefits for shopping, Biyani of Future Group said, “Shopping and talking on mobile phones are among the two favourite activities for Indians. With T24, we have been able to develop a unique customer value proposition that combines these interests of the aspirational Indian.
“We believe with our partners, Tata Teleservices Limited, we have been able to develop a differentiated offering in the crowded telecom space and increase the loyalty we enjoy among the millions of customers who patronise our stores,” he added.
The T24 tariff plans will reflect the competitive per second rates being offered for pre-paid customers on TTSL’s GSM network. In addition, customers will be rewarded with free talk-time for every purchase above Rs 500 made at Future Group shopping outlets. For example, a T24 customer buying products worth Rs 2,501 at Pantaloons or EZone will stand to gain 50 minutes of free talk-time. Also, a customer spending Rs 1,501 in Big Bazaar will gain 90 minutes of free talk-time for every purchase.
The T24 service will be sold through Future Group’s extensive retail footprint across the country, beginning with Andhra Pradesh. Company officials said the service will be progressively rolled out across the country in the next couple of months, through Future Group’s retail networks in over 75 cities and 65 rural destinations.
Customers visiting Future Group retail chains, such as Pantaloons, Big Bazaar, Central, Brand Factory, EZone, Home Town and Aadhar, among others, will be offered the exclusive mobile connection and tariff plan, wherein they can win free talk-time based on their purchases at these stores. Every time they spend on buying talk-time, customers will be rewarded with special deals and promotions at retail outlets.
– IndiaRetailing Bureau
