LONDON—Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. is the latest handset manufacturer to move onto the retail playground, announcing plans to build a branded store in London’s upscale Kensington High Street district.
The store, which is slated for a late November opening, will showcase new handsets as well as accessories and PC cards. U.K. mobile retailing giant Carphone Warehouse will operate and manage the store, allowing users to make payments on prepaid accounts or activate postpaid services through a variety of carriers.
“We are extremely pleased to be opening this first store,” said Salvatore D’angelo, who oversees the manufacturer’s worldwide retail operations. “Consumers will be able to come in, try products in a relaxed, state-of-the-art retail space, experiencing the very best of the Sony Ericsson brand, and then purchase or upgrade their phone just as they would in a regular store.”
The wireless retail space is heating up as manufacturers and service providers work to present their brands to consumers at the brick-and-mortar sales counter. Motorola Inc. and Nokia Corp. are opening sleek flagship stores in high-profile shopping districts around the world, and Helio L.L.C. recently announced plans to build a small chain of upscale outlets in the United States.
