Where is phones 4 u

Sources close to Phones 4u said the companies had agreed distribution terms informally, but that the deal was not sealed because Vodafone and EE had considered buying Phones 4u in early summer.

Vodafone and EE acknowledged they considered buying the retailer, but said there were too many legal hurdles. Vodafone withdrew its business a fortnight ago. O2 stopped selling through Phones 4u earlier this year and the network 3 some time before that. Networks, hit by regulated price cuts, have been looking for savings, including the use of third-party resellers.

Carphone's decision to merge with Dixons is thought to have been prompted by unrest among the mobile networks whose connections it sells. This article is more than 7 years old. John Caudwell blames mobile network suppliers and 'ruthless' private equity owners after chain shuts stores What will the collapse of Phones 4U mean for consumers?

Reuse this content. Past webinars. About us. Advertising opportunities. Contact us. Register as a member. View past webinars. Supplier Directory. Downloadable Directory. Video Channel. Upcoming Webinars. Past Webinars. EU Top Retailers. European Grocery Report Growth Europe. RetailX Sector Reports. RetailX Country Reports.

France Top Spain Top RXED Top Vodafone said it rejected any suggestion that it behaved inappropriately during its negotiations with Phones 4u and indicated that the retailer's debt repayment schedule hampered the discussions.

It said: "Phones 4u was offered repeated opportunities to propose competitive distribution terms to enable us to conclude a new agreement, but was unable to do so on terms which were commercially viable for Vodafone in the current UK market conditions. Phones 4u said the decision by EE not to renew its current contract - due to end in September next year - came as a "complete shock" and meant it would be left without a single network partner after Vodafone said earlier this month that it would not extend its agreement.

At the Phones 4u flagship store on Oxford Street in central London, a staff member posted a notice to customers on the door - signed by "The heartbroken Phones 4u team" - which read: "Following the unexpected decision of EE and Vodafone to withdraw supply from Phones 4u, we regret that this store is currently closed.

Phone operators are increasingly targeting sales through their own stores while Phones 4u's rival Dixons Carphone - created from Carphone Warehouse and the company behind PC World and Currys - has been successful in building relationships with the phone operators.

Phones 4u said that both EE and Vodafone had, until recently, indicated that they saw Phones 4u as a long-term strategic partner. The corporate restructuring team from PwC said it was hopeful that it will be able to pay all the outstanding wage arrears but that this was dependent on accessing funds to pay for the costs of the business.

PwC partner Rob Hunt said: "Our initial focus will be to quickly engage with parties who may be interested in acquiring all or part of the business, and to better understand the financial position and options for the company.

The stores will remain closed while we have these conversations. Stefano Quadrio Curzio, a representative of BC Partners, said: "Vodafone has acted in exactly the opposite way to what they had consistently indicated to the management of Phones 4u over more than six months. EE said its decision not to renew its contract in September was in part driven by uncertainty over the long-term viability of Phones 4u.

All mobile contracts bought through Phones 4u will remain unaffected and the networks will continue to provide mobile services to customers.