Mobile World Joint Stock Company

Mobile World, known as “Thế Giới Di Động” in Vietnamese, is one of the fastest growing, leading mobile phone retailing chains in Vietnam. The Company operates a chain of branded outlets, including one laptop retail outlet, and one service center in Ho Chi Minh City, other retail outlets in Hanoi, Buon Ma Thuot and Can Tho.

Led by a group of young entrepreneurial Vietnamese professionals with extensive experience and industry expertise, Mobile World has experienced significant growth since inception with revenues increasing by approximately 4 times from 2005 to 2006. The company currently employs more than 400 employees.

Mekong Enterprise Fund II made an investment in the company in May 2007.

Products

Mobile World operates stores mainly in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to the retailing of mobile phones and related accessories. Each outlet is located at premium location with high traffic, offering a wide selection of over 250 mobile phone models. The Company functions within the “modern trade” segment offering value-added services to customers unlike traditional family-run stores. Customers are serviced by knowledgeable staff that offers advice on different models and features.

Mobile World is expanding its current product offering by introducing laptops to its high demand stores. In October 2006, the Company began selling laptops in one of its premium outlet locations. Initial introduction of laptop products has been successful with sales on par with other existing laptop retailers. The Company also plans to offer other portable devices such as MP3/MP4 players and digital cameras in its chain when demand is high enough. 

Inventory Management

A key driver of Mobile World’s success is its ability to manage inventory in a fast moving retail environment. The inventory management system tracks historic sales by each store, projects supply needed and allows for intra-store transfer based upon demand as well as up-to-date price adjustment to stay competitive. As mobile phone models and prices change quickly in the market, the company’s ability to reduce inventory days lowers the risk of discounted and obsolescent inventory and increases profitability.

Branding

Recognizing that branding is vital in the retailing business, each of Mobile World’s outlet is branded under the “www.thegioididong.com” banner with consistent design format and the same level of customer service quality. Besides, due to the high-tech factor of its products, the Company invested heavily in building out its website, which has been a significant tool in creating a strong brand within the market. The website is currently among the top sites in electronic commerce, ranked by Alexa at 20th – 22th of all websites in Vietnam with almost 500,000 hits per day on average. Other than functioning as the premier information portal for Vietnamese consumers looking to research mobile phones prior to purchase, the website also allows for mobile-content downloads and placing order online.

History

Mobile World was founded in March 2004 as a limited liability company. Its flagship outlet on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Ho Chi Minh city, was opened in August 2004. Its successful operation led to the second outlet opened on Cong Hoa street almost one year later. Since then, its chain of outlets has grown exponentially in number, including a service centre. In Jan 2007, Mobile World was changed to a joint stock company.

Today, Mobile World has become one of the leading mobile phone retailers in Vietnam with almost 20% market shares in Ho Chi Minh City.

For more information, please visit their website at www.thegioididong.com