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Carphone Warehouse to Open U.S. Retail Shops

Article Comments  27  

Apr 7, 2008, 7:50 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

The U.K.-based Carphone Warehouse has struck a deal with Best Buy and will be opening 1,000 retail outlets in the U.S., in a combination of stand-alone outlets and boutiques within Best Buy stores. Carphone was one of the first retail shops to offer phones and services from more than one carrier side by side. It will bring this model to its U.S. stores, which will provide consumers the opportunity to compare prices and service plans from many providers at once in the same store. Best Buy owns a 3% stake in Carphone Warhouse, and may increase its share as this joint venture moves forward.

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

pauldg

Apr 7, 2008, 8:50 AM

Doesn't BestBuy do this already?

they already sell multiple carriers side by side. Didn't they also start stand-alone wireless kiosks or something too?
They've been doing it for awhile now...I don't get this new acquisition. I'm going to apply to a best buy soon, after working at one a couple of years ago. This news is mildly confusing. Best Buy said something about stand alone stores, but re-branded...
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My understanding is that they are going to sell ALL carriers. Additionally, Best Buy employees have a long-standing tradition of not being on commission. As a result, they have lost alot of marketshare by not getting deep into phones. If they were to ...
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thickjake

Apr 8, 2008, 7:15 AM

Yes-Yes-No-Yes & No

They will still only sell three carriers. This is mainly Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. In some stores AT&T or Sprint is replaced by T-mo. There are a couple other 'one-off's' based on market.

They are Best Buy employees. However they will not be traditional 'Blue Shirts'. They are dedicated wireless. The 'store within a store' will have a Manager not a department supervisor. They will have a separate District Manager reporting structure. This is also a Best Buy employee. Typically a former Store Manager.

Inventory is still carrier branded. You wont see them bringing stuff in that the carrier does not already offer. However you will see expanded inventory from all carriers.

This is not really new. the agreement has been in place for...
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Radioshack tried the 'wireless specialist' thing about a year ago and it did not work. They were not paid on commission and were just there to basically run the kiosk (wireless section in the store). It was taken out due to a lack of interest by the...
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middlekid3058

Apr 8, 2008, 7:33 PM

Why does everyone think Best Buy is a good bet for trials?

I am sick of everyone using Best Buy as the measuring stick for the Retail industry? There are FAR better retailers, and this is NOT the place people should be going to buy a phone and service? What are they smoking in the Twin Cities?
Best Buy has a large customer base, as well as a well known image. Sure there might be better, but that's like saying Ford or GM are bad measuring sticks for the auto industry. They are HUGE, they will ALWAYS be a measuring stick. Additionally, your o...
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GadeTerbob

Apr 7, 2008, 11:06 AM

Will They?

Will they be promoting the 2 watt Moto M800/900 I wonder??
 
 
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