Entries tagged with “retail stores” from WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

An Amdocs survey explored what influences the customer experience when shopping at retail stores, along with brand perceptions.
 
Despite the option to purchase devices and plans online, consumers are still choosing to visit service providers' retail outlets. The top three reasons cited for visiting a retail store were:

• The ability to obtain the device right away.
• Direct access to the device to "touch and feel" it before purchasing.
• To consult with an expert regarding the device's features and rate plans.

While 60 percent of those surveyed visited retail outlets intending to make a purchase, one in four left without buying.

• Top reasons for abandoning the purchase was the store representative was either not knowledgeable enough about the devices or service plans
• or that the wait time to complete the transaction was too long.
• Store sales staff received the lowest customer ratings in the areas of speed of service, as well as for their concern as to whether the customer had purchased the best service plan or phone to meet their needs
• Highest ratings were awarded for courtesy and friendliness.
  
• The survey found that a smartphone transaction can take up to an average of 15 percent longer than a traditional phone purchase, with increased time and resources devoted to identifying the right product, completing the paperwork and finalizing the purchase.

Wireless Giant and InMotion Entertainment have joined together to develop and operate additional "BlackBerry from Wireless Giant" retail stores in new transportation centers, including major airports and rail stations across the United States.

The stores will exclusively sell BlackBerry products and services. InMotion Entertainment's primary responsibilities will include site selection, lease negotiations, and location development. Wireless Giant will provide specialized training, BlackBerry smartphones and accessories, as well as concept development, marketing and operational guidance.

BlackBerry from Wireless Giant are innovative retail stores featuring the most comprehensive offering of BlackBerry products and services and providing an exceptional purchasing experience for both consumers and corporate customers.

RadioShack and T-Mobile y announced a retail agreement to offer T-Mobile^®products and services in more than 4,000 RadioShack stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico beginning later this summer.

The relationship expands RadioShack's postpaid wireless offerings, and enables RadioShack to offer its customers a selection of T-Mobile's most innovative, in-demand handsets - including the highly anticipated T-Mobile myTouch 3G with Google. For T-Mobile, the agreement nearly doubles the number of national retail partner stores offering its postpaid products and services nationwide, and makes RadioShack T-Mobile's largest national retail partner. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

"RadioShack is focused on growing our mobility category and is committed to providing our customers with a broad selection of the best wireless products and services in the industry," said Peter Whitsett, executive vice president and general merchandising manager at RadioShack. "The ability to offer a full line of T-Mobile devices, including the hottest exclusive T-Mobile handsets, reinforces RadioShack's leadership in wireless."

Blyk, a new mobile network for 16 - 24s that's funded by advertising launched Monday. Blyk links young people with advertising  and gives them free texts and minutes every month.  It offers subscribers 217 free texts and 42 free minutes in exchange for accepting MMS (picture messaging) and SMS (text) advertising after that it's 0.15 (BP) a minute.

In order to join users have to be 16-24 years old, live in mainland Britain, own a phone with MMS and be invited. After registering the teen gets a new SIM for his/her phone.  Blyk expects to launch in other parts of Europe in the future.

Comment from Mobile & Wireless News:

Knowing teens, those free minutes should run out in about 42 minutes after receiving the SIM.