Carphone Warehouse is plotting aggressive UK expansion in 2004, with a blueprint for 100 store openings on the back of a strong Christmas.
Incoming UK retail managing director Jonathan Hook said the 500-strong chain would add '100 net stores' next year. 'We are still finding the new stores we open are profitable and analysis suggests there is scope for a lot more,' he said.
Britain's biggest mobile phone specialist, with a 22 per cent market share, is targeting arterial routes, city centre and out-of-town locations for the push.
The tills of mobile phone retailers are jingling as must-have new pay-as-you-go handsets - the bedrock of the festive gift trade - feed consumer demand.
Hook said the availability of pre-pay camera phones for the first time, combined with an all-time low price tag of£29.99 for pay-as-you-go mobiles, were key sales drivers.
The retailer is cashing in on the popularity of picture messaging and has teamed up with Kodak to install in-store kiosks, capable of providing instant prints, in 50 shops.
Carphone Warehouse has also recruited a gang of 15-year-olds to demonstrate a new phone/games console - the Nokia N-Gage - in 10 key outlets during the Christmas rush.
Fellow retailers have bemoaned shortages of key phones over the period but Carphone 'took a punt' on a buoyant festive season. More flexible buying enabled it gobble up extra stocks.
'It's been a great Christmas so far and all the indications are it's going to continue that way,' continued Hook. 'Footfall is up on last year.'
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