The Lakesideopening follows 20 Experience store launches across the UK over the past 12 months as part of EE’s £3 million investment retail between May 2025 and March 2026.

EE claims 58 per cent of customers in the East of England are not confident using all the features of their smart devices and says Experience stores are positioned as a response to this, offering demos and personal guidance.

The Lakeside store will will be one of 11 EE locations across Essex offering “Stay Safe with AI” appointments, in partnership with Essex Police. The sessions raise awareness of artificial intelligence risks, including deepfakes.

EE stores will offer 30-minute online safety appointments managing children’s devices, setting up parental controls and supporting first-time smartphone users. The sessions are open to customers on any network.

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/ee-opens-first-experience-store-of-2026-at-lakeside/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/get-connected-gets-vodafonethree-exclusivity-for-its-retail-stores/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/get-connected-gets-vodafonethree-exclusivity-for-its-retail-stores/#respond Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:59:04 +0000 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/?p=179546  VodafoneThree has extended its exclusive partnership with retailer Get Connected in over 46 stores in Wales, the Midlands and the South West.

 Vodafone Three’s retail presence, through Get Connected in Wales, will also continue to support approximately 100 jobs in the stores.  

Jon Shaw, Consumer Operations Director, VodafoneThree, said: “The new exclusivity agreement is key to our retail presence in Wales. Working with trusted retail partners will help bring both Vodafone and Three brands to more people”.

Damian Cole, CEO, Get Connected, said: “This partnership will give us access to more products and means that the business is now secure for at least the next three years.” 

The news follows Vodafone Three’s November announcement that it had signed a new three-year agreement with Fonehouse to become the exclusive consumer network partner across Fonehouse’s retail and online channels.

The move comes as Phonecheck prepares to launch an AI-powered diagnostics and grading system that it claims will outperform anything currently available in the circular economy sector.

Garchay brings nearly 20 years’ experience scaling technology businesses across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. His role will be to help transition Phonecheck from an established industry standard into a fully AI-led technology innovator.

The company is preparing to launch what it says will be the industry’s first fully automated vision AI product, capable of identifying cosmetic damage, screen defects and overall device condition without human intervention. Phonecheck believes the technology could mark a significant shift in how devices are inspected and graded at scale.

“I don’t change roles often,” Garchay said. “When I do, it’s because I see something exceptional. What Phonecheck is doing now is different. This isn’t a services company bolting AI onto an existing offer – it’s a technology company with a dominant market position, using that position to build something genuinely new. That combination is rare.

“I’m invested in Phonecheck’s success not just as a leader, but as a stakeholder. I’m incredibly optimistic about what we can build.”

Phonecheck CEO Chris Sabeti said Garchay’s appointment comes at a critical moment for the business.

“Harby is exactly the leader we need,” Sabeti said. “He knows how to scale, he knows how to execute, and he believes in the direction we’re heading. When the opportunity to work together came up, I didn’t hesitate.”

Sabeti said Phonecheck’s advantage lies in the sheer volume of data flowing through its platform.

“We’ve processed more device inspections than anyone else in the world,” he said. “That experience has given us data at scale, which has now become an AI advantage.”

Every device inspected feeds back into Phonecheck’s machine learning models, continuously improving accuracy and performance. The company believes it now holds the largest proprietary dataset in the device diagnostics sector, generated from millions of inspections and diagnostics carried out each year.

Customers using the new site sellyourphone.kidneyresearchuk.org can sell their Apple or Android devices as normal, while automatically generating a £10 donation for the charity. They can also opt to add a voluntary contribution when accepting their trade-in offer. Funds raised will go towards patient wellbeing initiatives and research into kidney disease.

Charity supporter Former England striker Andy Cole suffered kidney failure following a viral illness. He launched the Andy Cole Fund in 2020 to support research and patient support services.

“Living with kidney disease has been the toughest battle I’ve ever endured. As great as a transplant is, it’s not a cure and life post-transplant can be emotionally tough. That’s why it’s so important to support patients’ wellbeing and find new ways of improving transplant treatments. I’m delighted that WeBuyAnyPhone.com has chosen to support Kidney Research UK in a way that will have a real and positive impact on patients.”

WeBuyAnyPhone.com co-founder Aaron Brown said the partnership was inspired by meeting Cole at a fundraising event.

“Around seven million people in the UK are living with chronic kidney disease. Thar’s equivalent to 10 per cent of the population. This new partnership will help fund vital research and make a real difference to patients’ lives.”

WeBuyAnyPhone.com says the process for customers is unchanged: devices are traded securely via the portal. The company won the Mobile News Awards 2025 trophy for

The deal gives TD SYNNEX’s retail, telco, corporate and SMB partners access to a broad range of protection, carry and charging products positioned to sit alongside smartphones, tablets and PCs. The range is available immediately across the distributor’s full European footprint.

Founded in 2011, dbramante1928 is active in global retail and operator channelss. It is now widening its focus on the B2B market. TD SYNNEX will back the launch with special pricing, bundling opportunities and inclusion in its channel programmes, supported by local marketing and enablement.

“dbramante1928’s product line meets the growing demand for eco-conscious alternatives in both consumer and enterprise markets,” said vice president, Mobile and Consumer Electronics, Europe at TD SYNNEX Luc Van Huystee

Marcus Johansson, global sales director at dbramante1928 added:

“The European accessories market exceeds €10 billion annually, with responsibly produced products growing at a double-digit rate.TD SYNNEX brings, backed by local enablement, marketing programs, and lifecycle services that help partners grow and differentiate.”

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/td-synnex-signs-accessories-distribution-deal-with-dbramante1928/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news-mobile-world-congress/article/envirofone-and-ioutlet-rated-among-uks-top-refurbished-tech-retailers-by-which/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news-mobile-world-congress/article/envirofone-and-ioutlet-rated-among-uks-top-refurbished-tech-retailers-by-which/#respond Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:23:33 +0000 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/?p=179166

Refurbished mobile specialists Envirofone and The iOutlet have been named Recommended Providers in the latest Which? survey of the UK’s best second-hand and refurbished tech retailers.

The consumer watchdog gathered feedback from more than 2,400 consumers, covering over 4,000 purchasing experiences across the UK’s growing used tech market. Retailers were rated on value for money, customer service, delivery, communication, product accuracy and range. 

Brands needed an overall customer score of at least 80 per cent and four stars or more for both value and service.to achieve Recommended Provider status, 

The iOutlet co-founder Matt Green said: “This recognition from such a trusted consumer organisation is a huge endorsement of the hard work and standards we’ve built over the years. Refurbished technology has become a real alternative to buying new, and this acknowledgment highlights the trust our customers place in us.”

Envirofone Director Sam Hargreaves added: “It’s a real endorsement of the standards we set for quality, customer service and sustainability. Recognition from such trusted consumer voices reinforces our commitment to making refurbished tech the smart, reliable choice for everyone.”

The Which? results reflect growing consumer confidence in refurbished smartphones and second-hand devices as credible and sustainable alternatives to new handsets.

Around 200 refurbishers, distributors, retailers and service providers will be discussing the future of the secondary mobile market will be under discussion at Circular Summit next Wednesday (October 22) at The Hilton Tower Bridge, London SE1. Click HERE to see who’s coming and to attend.

The new store, located in the city’s Braehead Shopping Centre, opened was officially launched by former Scotland rugby captain John Barclay.

As with other Experience stores the retail format iis part of EE’s push to reinvent the in-store experience. The Glasgow outlet is one of more than 400 EE stores holding online safety appointments run with with Internet Matters, to help parents and children with safe device and internet use.

The Glasgow launch is the fourth EE Experience Store to open in 2025, as the operator presses ahead with a £3 million investment in its physical retail estate over the next 12 months.

The ‘Mind the Grab’ initiative is backed by Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police Service, and Crimestoppers, It will trial a painted purple line along Oxford Street pavements to remind  pedestrians to step back from the kerb and keep their phones out of sight in an attempt to reducie the risk of thieves grabbing their devices.

The London Underground’s famous ‘Mind the Gap’ safety line is meant to nudge behaviour and make people more theft-aware of their surroundings.

As part of the campaign, Currys is training staff at its Oxford Street store to help victims immediately after a theft, contacting family, notifying police, cancelling bank cards, and arranging safe travel home.

The Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research at Birkbeck University will evaluate the campaign’s effectiveness, with results expected by the end of the year.

Currys reckons 77 per cent of research respondents  view phone snatching as a serious problem, rising to 88 per cent in London. More than 34,000 incidents were recorded last year in Westminster, equivalent to one phone stolen every 15 minutes. Many thefts involve moped or e-bike riders targeting pedestrians.

Metropolitan Police Superintendent Natasha Evans said robbery in the West End has fallen 20 per cent since April thanks to targeted patrols, and initiatives like Currys’ will help maintain pressure on organised theft gangs.

Currys Chief Commercial Officer Ed Connolly added: “Phone theft isn’t just about losing a device. It’s frightening, invasive, and cuts people off from their loved ones, their money, and their daily lives. It’s time to draw the line on phone theft.”

If successful, the scheme could be rolled out to other UK high streets in partnership with local authorities and government bodies.

The deal broadens Onecom’s geographic reach and adds an established customer base.

Gradwell Communications, which reported annual revenue of £10.72 million as of October 2023, specialises in VoIP phone systems, SIP trunking, and connectivity solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. Founded in 1998, one of its main offerings is Wave, a proprietary cloud-based VoIP phone system designed specifically for smaller businesses.

Darren Ridge, CEO of Onecom Group, said: “Gradwell is highly complementary to our growth plans. Both businesses share a strong customer-first culture and a commitment to delivering outcome-driven communication solutions.

“This acquisition enhances our service portfolio and geographic presence, enabling us to offer more comprehensive solutions through our direct sales and partner channels.”

Jamie Ward, CEO of Gradwell, added: “We’re proud of what we’ve built and excited to join forces with Onecom. Our aligned cultures and shared dedication to innovation and customer service create new opportunities to deliver greater value to our customers.”

Hampshire-based Onecom employs over 700 staff and offers services from Vodafone, Zoom, Gamma, and Microsoft. Established in 2002, the company serves 80,000 business customers, managing more than a million services across mobile, fixed-line, broadband, unified communications, and IT solutions.

\The company will likely focus on SIM-free phones and, if margins remain weak, could imminently wind down the division entirely.

AO acknowledged it faces “continued headwinds” in mobile, with revenue in the segment falling 11.2 per cent year on year. Key factors include a declining market, waning consumer interest in contract bundles, and rising customer acquisition costs, particularly through affiliate channels. “We do not have the appetite for continued losses in this area,” AO said in its results statement, underlining its strategic realignment.

But £29.7m Revenue from musicMagpie acquisitio has boosted its recommerce ambitions

AO acquired MobilePhonesDirect in November 2018 for £35 million but has now recorded a £19.6 million write-down on the business. This contributed to a 40 per cent drop in statutory profit, down to £20.6 million for the year.

Back in 2018 AO World announced ambitions to become the largest online-only mobile retailer in the UK after its acquisition of Mobile Phones Direct.

AO World planed to use MPD and its ability to offer airtime packages to increase business for AO Mobile, an internal division of the company.

Challenges

Despite the challenges, AO will not exit mobile entirely. Instead, it’s reshaping its strategy to focus on SIM-free devices, credit-backed propositions, a forthcoming MVNO launch, and the sale of refurbished phones. The company is shifting to a more profitable, direct-to-customer model.

Strong contribution from musicMagpie

AO also highlighted a strong contribution from musicMagpie, the recommerce specialist it acquired in December 2024.

The business delivered £29.7 million in revenue over the four months to March 2025, helping AO grow recommerce revenue to £42.6 million, up from just £10.6 million the previous year — a near 300 per cent increase.

Despite the revenue boost, musicMagpie posted a £1.7 million pre-tax loss in the period since the acquisition. AO excluded this from its like-for-like adjusted profit before tax, which rose 32 per cent year on year to £45.2 million.

The total cost of the acquisition was around £35 million, including £9.8 million in cash, £19.1 million in debt repayment, and £3.3 million in advisory costs.

AO’s CEO and founder, John Roberts, said the deal strengthens AO’s refurbished tech offering and supports its ESG strategy: “We expect that in time this will improve the affordability of many products on AO.com for customers, helping to further differentiate the AO proposition.”

The two businesses’ models are described as “highly complementary,” and their integration is expected to deliver efficiencies across AO’s vertically integrated reverse supply chain.

AO recognised £12.1 million in goodwill from the deal, alongside £11.2 million in intangible assets, including brand and technology. These valuations are still provisional. Looking ahead, Roberts struck an optimistic tone: “Given the size of the prize — with a total addressable market of over £28bn — and the fantastic momentum we’re seeing across the business, I couldn’t be more excited about the next 25 years. In many ways, we’re only just getting started.”

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