Happy shopper?
Everything Everywhere (the company that owns T-Mobile and Orange) is trialing 5 new shops where the two brands will be sold alongside each other.
The first of the mash-up shops is randomly opening in Altrincham on 18 February and strives to provide a ‘21st century retail experience'.
As well as having to get to grips with selling two brands, staff at the trial shops have been retrained and their performance will not be based on just how many handsets they sell but also how well they engage with customers. The stores will sport the Everything Everywhere branding and are designed to be more interactive.
The firm said they will allow customers to play with ‘live' devices and tablets, download the latest apps to their handsets, charge their phones irrespective of what network they're on and build and buy a package that suits them via an interactive video screen.
Customers will also be able to get their phones repaired, manage their account and check they're on the right price plan as well as ‘hang out and go online' if they fancy more of a phone shop day-trip than a quick visit.
The firm said shops in Bishops Stortford and Eltham will open within a fortnight, while stores in Lowestoft and Evesham will be launched in around a month.
It is expected that the trial run will last for 6 months and the shops' popularity will shape Everything Everywhere's retail strategy.
Andrew Coull, VP of Retail, Everything Everywhere, said: "We're passionate about building stronger relationships with customers of both our brands, and this is the latest in a string of live retail trials that will help us deliver a unique 21st century retail experience for our customers, creating a fun, interactive environment which brings our products and services to life."
