Mobile phones retailer believes success of cameraphones will make it the leader
Carphone Warehouse aims to become the UK's leading digital photography retailer through its sale of cameraphones.

The mobile phone retailer is rolling out its in-store photography service across its entire 600-store estate, following a successful trial since Christmas.

The dedicated in-store cameraphone areas feature interactive imaging guides manned by trained photography staff. Shoppers will be shown how to use the products, including uploading images onto computers and personalising their pictures.

The retailer believes that cameraphones will eventually replace conventional digital cameras as the consumer's choice for photography. About 75 per cent of handsets Carphone sells now feature a built-in camera.

In a statement, Carphone Warehouse UK chief executive Andrew Harrison said: 'We have seen an increasing shift towards cameraphones, particularly since Christmas, and it seems that the convergence of mobile communication and mobile photography is proving to be what the customer really wants. People just don't want or need two devices, and as no-one leaves home without a mobile phone, this is how people will take photos in the future.'

Carphone Warehouse operates a photography web site in conjunction with online picture lab Photobox. Users have uploaded more than 300,000 images since its launch last year.