KIRKLAND, Wash.-Nextel Partners Inc. said it plans to open at least 21 company-owned stores by the end of the year, which would give the carrier a total of 130 retail locations. Nextel Partners had previously planned to open 40 stores this year, but increased that number to 60.
The carrier said that low-cost distribution channels, which include company-owned stores, Web sales and telesales, accounted for 27 percent of its reported 181,626 gross customer additions during the third quarter. Nextel Partners considers indirect retailers as higher-cost channels.
“Our network of company-owned stores are a great way for our customers to access our services and ‘test drive’ our newest handsets and data applications,” said Jim Ryder, chief operating officer and vice president at Nextel Partners. “As a result, our stores have proven to be a terrific outlet for driving the growth of our high value customers, as well as providing localized customer service.”