RadioShack Corp. (Fort Worth, Texas) announced that it is operating wireless kiosks in 542 Sam’s Club (Bentonville, Ark.) locations nationwide. The consumer electronics retailers is offering Sprint PCS, T-Mobile and Cingular wireless phones and service through the kiosks, as well as a wide assortment of accessories.
“Our agreement with Sam’s Club is powerful confirmation of our retailing services strategy, whereby we leverage our own internal infrastructure to operate small box retail operations for other companies,” said Leonard Roberts, RadioShack’s chairman and ceo. “Sam’s Club members will benefit from our proven wireless know how. And, we benefit by adding another sales channel that we believe will ultimately bring us an increased share of the wireless market and greater sales and earnings potential.”
Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., had previously been selling wireless products and services in its stores through a third-party corporation, Wireless Retail Inc. Through a separate agreement with Wireless Retail, approximately 1,900 Wireless Retail associates, including those who have been working at the Sam’s Club kiosks, in the distribution center and some corporate personnel, have been hired by RadioShack. RadioShack’s Retail Services division is overseeing day-to-day operations of the Sam’s Club kiosks and there is no RadioShack branding evident in the Sam’s Club locations.
“Sam’s Club is in business for small business, and we are committed to providing the highest quality products and services to our members,” said Doug McMillon, executive vp, Sam’s Club merchandising. “Given their reputation as the leading seller of wireless phones, RadioShack is in a terrific position to serve our members. We look forward to satisfied members and a mutually prosperous relationship.”
Other Wireless Retail assets acquired by RadioShack include a distribution center in Southaven, Miss., a point-of-sale system and an online training program.