Editor’s Note: In this monthly feature, RCR Wireless News talks to retail managers across the country to get a first-hand view of what’s hot in wireless.
Wireless Toyz stores operate in 24 states across the country offering devices and services from multiple carriers and mobile virtual network operators, as well as satellite radio and television services. John Corcoran is proprietor of the Tampa, Fla., location of Wireless Toyz and spoke to RCR Wireless News about retail trends.
Which handsets are popular right now?
Right now, the Powersource or hybrid phones from Sprint Nextel have been pretty good movers. That’s usually a person upgrading from the traditional iDEN, to upgrade their coverage. The new Treos have done pretty well, the 700 to 755, and the Q, we’ve done pretty well with it. It seems to be able to attract beyond the PDA audience, because of its form factor and the Microsoft Windows familiarity, and it doesn’t appear quite as complicated as a Treo.
What are people looking for in service plans?
The Alltel myCircle program seems to definitely be garnering some attention. People are looking more and more for unlimited-type options. My location is in one of the four test markets for Sprint’s unlimited plan, Amp’d had an unlimited plan [and] Helio just started one as well. That seems to be where we’re likely heading: a good portion of the plans are going to be all-you-can-eat on the voice. I think we’re starting to see that trend already. It sort of surprised me that it came this fast-even if it’s gimmicky, all-you-can-eat free incoming, for five numbers or 10 people. People seem to be savvy about managing their minute use and look for plans that are going to be better for them.
What are people interested in for data add-ons?
People are inquiring about TV. I wouldn’t say they’re all buying it yet, but they’re asking because they’ve seen the buzz. It takes a little bit of explaining and trying to find the right product for a lot of people. The NFL package [from Sprint Nextel]-it died off recently because football is out of season, but that was one of the most popular things. And obviously, text. Text is probably up to at least a 50% attachment rate. People are getting more savvy about asking whether their plan comes with text, what’s the unlimited option for text messaging, how about for a family versus individual.
What trends do you see in accessories?
One is, a little bit higher-end accessories for the standard customer. Instead of a basic leather case for a cell, maybe nicer leather pouches, something that really looks a little bit stylish and shows off some quality other than the little plastic clips. The other is Bluetooth devices, but we’re seeing more and more stereo headsets and hands-free car items. One of our [big sellers] is the visor mirror. It’s Bluetooth and it has caller ID, so when someone calls their name shows up in the mirror.
What do you expect to see in 2007?
I think the screen convergence thing is going to be a big thing. . I think for handsets, we’re seeing a little more movement to easier-to-digest PDAs, the Qs or the Ocean from Helio, the type that doesn’t appear so complicated yet is going to make it easier to check your e-mail, watch video clips, has a bigger screen-I think the handset trend is continuing to go that way. . I think as the iPhone comes out and there’s a lot of publicity about what your phone can do, I think we’re going to sell more unlocked devices, not carrier subsidized, which is a pretty good portion of business. . Many carriers have devices that in reality are just as good, if not better or more capable [than the iPhone], and we’ll be able to get people those phones. (Wireless Toyz does not sell service from AT&T Mobility.)
