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Research Report

Australia - Mobile Communications - Retail Market

Synopsis The mobile retail market is currently dominated by retail chains directly affiliated with major operators and franchise chains which are often backed by large corporations. Independent retailers have been squeezed between these two groups. As a result of increased competition and lower margins some outlets are likely to close in 2010. While margins have been under pressure sales volumes have been remarkably resilient in the face of difficult economic conditions in Australia in 2009. Though total sales volumes are likely to be flat in 2009, sales of high-end handsets and smart phones have grown dramatically at the expense of mid-range phones. This has been driven by two major factors: large subsidies provided by mobile operators for high-end handsets such as the Apple iPhone, and a government stimulus package in early 2009 which provided a one-off $900 tax rebate to a large proportion of taxpayers. Both factors may prove to be short term boosts for the market. Should a poor economic climate persist in Australia in 2010 then the retail market is likely to shrink further.

Last Update: 21 Jun 2010 Number of Pages: 10

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Table of Contents

1. Synopsis
2. Overview of the mobile retail market in 2009
2.1 Retail revenues
2.2 Consolidation
3. Major mobile retail companies
3.1 Vertically integrated operators
3.1.1 Telstra
3.1.2 Optus
3.1.3 Vodafone / 3
3.2 Independents retailing services exclusively for mobile operators 
3.2.1 Vita Group (Fone Zone, Next Byte, One Zero)
3.2.2 Leading Edge Telecoms
3.2.3 TeleChoice
3.2.4 Network Communications
3.2.5 The SOUL group
3.2.6 M8
3.2.7 Crazy John's 
3.2.8 Mo's Mobiles
3.3 Independents retailing services for a variety of network operators
3.3.1 Woolworths, Tandy and Dick Smith Electronics
3.3.2 Allphones
3.3.3 Harvey Norman
3.3.4 Strathfield Group 
4. Analysis of the market in 2009 and 2010
4.1 The impact of the financial crisis on the retail market in Australia
4.2 Emerging retail models for independent operators
4.2.1 Web-based retail 
4.2.2 Niche segmentation
4.2.3 Superior customer care
4.3 Retail margins likely to remain under pressure
4.3.1 Replacement Market
5. Related reports

Table 1 - Estimated number of outlets and market share of leading retailers - 2009

Table 2 - Selected retailers - number of outlets by state - 2009