Sprint opens co-branded RadioShack stores

Sprint has more than doubled its company-owned retail footprint by opening 1,435 Sprint-RadioShack stores.

The expansion, rolled out on Friday April 10, is intended to give more customers better access to the company’s leasing programs, unlimited plans and Boost and Virgin Mobile prepaid offerings.

With the new RadioShack store network, recently acquired by General Wireless, Sprint continues pursuing its “store-within-a-store” concept and begins the process of exclusively selling mobile devices and creating jobs.

“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 Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure in a news release.

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An industry analyst applauded the move.

“Sprint now has many more storefronts to sell wireless devices from and that is very important to the growth of its business,” said Jeff Kagan. “It gives them the ability to reach more customers, more quickly, from coast to coast.”

Sprint’s retail expansion also means almost 3,500 new jobs nationwide. In the coming months, Sprint said it will recruit a skilled workforce to fill full- and part-time positions.

Earlier this month, General Wireless Inc., an affiliate of Standard General LP, acquired 1,743 RadioShack stores. Sprint has agreed with Standard General to be co-tenants in 1,435 of those stores, with Sprint being the primary brand in marketing materials and signage.

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Sprint will occupy about one third of the retail space at those RadioShack locations. Through the end of this year, Sprint said it will work closely with General Wireless to build out its “store-within-a-store” retail model.

“This important partnership with Sprint has enabled RadioShack to continue to provide a trusted destination for our millions of loyal consumers,” said Ron Garriques, RadioShack CEO.

“Together, we can preserve jobs and an iconic American company specializing in mobility, connectivity and innovation. This arrangement is truly a win-win, giving Sprint a much larger footprint and providing both companies immediate access to each other’s customers,” Garriques said.

When they opened on Friday April 10, all 1,435 Sprint-RadioShack stores began offering devices and services from Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile.