Sprint announced that its co-branded retail stores with the newly restructured RadioShack would open tomorrow, April 10. According to the wireless provider, there will be 1,435 Sprint-RadioShack co-branded stores, which more than double its company-owned retail footprint.
According to Sprint, the co-branded stores will offer devices and services including its unique and industry-exclusive leasing programs, unlimited plans as well as the prepaid offerings of Boost and Virgin Mobile brands.
Sprint is further investing in community with the new RadioShack store network by creating and preserving jobs across the country. The company said it will be adding 3,500 new jobs. It will start recruiting skilled workers to fill full-time and part-time positions in the coming months.
The wireless provider is starting the process of co-branding all of the locations with Sprint-branded storefronts and marketing materials. It is also transforming the customers experience in stores while working to complete its store-within-a-store concept over the next several months.
Sprint spokesman Scott Sloat said, “The rebranding and build-out of the store-in-a-store concept will take some time to be complete in all the stores, and we will be doing that in waves.” The company expects to complete the transformation in the second half of 2015.
Sprint products and services are resonating with customers
In a statement, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure said the new products and services of the company are resonating with customers. He noted that customers are switching to Sprint through its” Cut Your Bill in Half” offer. Customers are also taking advantage of its industry-first leasing plans and shopping for new devices.
“Customers value the ability to walk into a neighborhood Sprint store near where they live and work. With more stores, and including Boost and Virgin Mobile, we’re providing additional shopping opportunities and making it easier and more convenient for consumers to do business with us,” said Claure.
On the other hand, Industry analyst, Jeff Kagan commented, “Sprint now has many more storefronts to sell wireless devices from and that is very important to the growth of its business. It gives them the ability to reach more customers, more quickly, from coast to coast.”
Sprint’s agreement with Standard General
General Wireless, an affiliate of Standard General acquired 1,743 RadioShack Stores. Sprint agreed to be co-tenants in 1,435 stores. Under the agreement, Sprint will be the primary brand in marketing materials and signage. It will occupy approximately one-third of the retail space.
RadioShack CEO Ron Garriques said, “This important partnership with Sprint has enabled RadioShack to continue to provide a trusted destination for our millions of loyal consumers. This arrangement is truly a win-win, giving Sprint a much larger footprint and providing both companies immediate access to each other’s customers.”
