Editor’s Note: In this new monthly feature, RCR Wireless News will talk to retail managers across the country to get a first-hand view of what’s hot in wireless.
Sprint Nextel Store No. 72 is in a bustling complex of restaurants, shops and a movie theater on the outskirts of Golden, Colo. The store used to sell only CDMA products, but now also sells iDEN and CDMA handsets and services. Thomas Martinez, retail sales manager for the location, tells RCR Wireless News about trends in wireless retail.
What are the most popular handsets?
“The most popular handsets are the ones we got late in the fourth quarter: the Razr, the Krazr. The Samsung 640 handset {low price point, Bluetooth-enabled} has been selling well. The Blackberries have been pretty popular for us, both on iDEN and CDMA. The Fusic, that’s a real big seller for us. There are about six or seven handsets for us that are popular. . I wouldn’t say the Razr dominates the other handsets. One phone that’s more popular is the Fusic . [but] there’s not one phone that’s head and shoulders above the rest.”
What plans are selling best?
“For individual plans, obviously the Fair & Flexible. The 900-minute plan for $60 is the most popular, and of course our nights and weekends [starting at 7 p.m.] are a differentiator for us. The 700-minute plan for $70 for families does well. Those are probably the two most popular plans. Our data’s great. . People come in looking for [our EV-DO service] a lot. As far as text messaging, with the younger crowd, it’s huge. Sprint TV and NFL Mobile are probably are most popular applications.”
What accessories are selling well?
“We’ve seen a real spike in the Bluetooth headsets. I think at first people were a little shy and didn’t want to be looked at like they’re walking around talking to themselves. That’s the thing people are buying now. The most popular seems to be the Moto H700.”
Why do you think these items and services are popular?
“People look at handsets as a little bit of a fashion statement. Customers still ask about battery life, and whether the phone can do all the things they need it to do. On data applications, speed is pretty important to people nowadays, and you can pretty much get just about whatever you want wherever you’re at.”
What are people returning?
“We get more exchanges than we do returns, and we don’t see a lot of returns due to competition.”
What are you seeing in terms of prepaid?
“The Boost product is right now probably a little bit better seller.” {The store also sells some Virgin Mobile USA products.} “Prepaid is pretty steady; we don’t see too many dips or spikes in it.”
How does 2007 look?
(Points to EV-DO Revision A-capable USB modem) “These are really going to take off. The minute we started selling those in retail stores, we had a hard time keeping them in stock. It was great. . 2007 is off to a great start.”
