Nokia Closing U.S. Flagships

Nokia (Espoo, Finland) has announced it will close both of its U.S. flagship stores, located in New York and Chicago. The stores, which opened in 2006, are two of 12 retail locations operated by the mobile services provider.

In a statement, the company says the two flagships were originally conceived to inspire and educate consumers to the benefits of mobility through an innovative retail experience, and to broaden the appeal of the Nokia brand. “Since opening the stores in New York and Chicago, consumer awareness in the U.S. has grown substantially,” says a company spokesperson.

The U.S. locations are expected to close in early 2010. Nokia opened its first retail location in 2005 in Moscow. The company, which leads market share in the world for handsets, has struggled to gain a foothold in North America, especially the U.S., where it competes with Apple's iPhone, Research In Motion's BlackBerry and other models.