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.

Signatories to the letter include major names in retail and electronics such as Currys, Back Market, Beko, and Hotpoint, alongside organisations including AMDEA, Mobicde, Suez Recycling, The Repair Finder, The Restart Project, and several regional Repair Cafe networks.

They are calling for measures to reduce waste and build a repair economy capable of supporting green jobs and delivering on the UK’s net-zero targets.

The letter argues that boosting repair and reuse would benefit UK consumers by cutting costs, while also creating thousands of new jobs. It points to existing initiatives in other markets—such as France’s Repairability Index—as proven examples of how regulation can drive progress.

Key policy recommendations include expanding ecodesign regulations to cover more product categories, harmonising UK law with the EU’s right to Repair legislation, zero-rating VAT on repairs, repair incentives for households and businesses, and investment in training programmes to grow a new generation of repair technicians

The group estimates that scaling up repair could create 31,000 new jobs by 2035, rising to over 80,000 by 2040, and prevent up to 13 million items from being prematurely discarded each year.

Momentum

This intervention follows a period of rising political support for repair and reuse in Westminster. Since the creation of the Circular Economy Taskforce at the end of 2024, nearly 70 MPs have now signed a declaration backing action to extend product lifespans.

In March, repair campaigners were dismayed when electricals were excluded from the Taskforce’s original five areas of focus. However, after lobbying from within the sector and public pressure via MPs, electrical waste was added as a sixth priority in May.

In June, a Parliamentary Repair Cafe hosted by Back Market and attended by DEFRA Minister Mary Creagh showcased the practical benefits of repair initiatives. Shortly afterward, the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Environment called for a bold national strategy, echoing the demands of the business coalition.

Campaigners say that business support for reuse and repair has always existed, but hasn’t been clearly communicated to policymakers. This joint letter aims to change that perception and dispel the notion that the sector is resistant to reform.

With mounting environmental pressures and the UK ranking as the second highest producer of e-waste per capita, advocates say the government cannot afford to delay.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” the letter concludes, “to deliver an ambitious roadmap for longer-lived electricals and build a truly circular economy.”

The coalition has pledged to continue working with government to ensure repair and reuse stay at the heart of the UK’s sustainability agenda.

Currys will now support the full suite of Vodafone-branded connectivity products across mobile, home broadband, and mobile broadband. VodafoneThree claims the UK’s largest full-fibre footprint, reaching 22.5 million premises with fibre or fibre-equivalent speeds.

The deal comes as VodafoneThree continues to roll out its £11 billion network investment plan, aiming to deliver improved coverage, speed and reliability to 99.95 per cenr  of the UK population by 2034. The combined network has already enabled cross-network roaming for customers at no extra cost.

Jon Shaw, Consumer Operations Director at VodafoneThree, said: This wider-ranging partnership allows us to explore greater opportunities in home and mobile broadband for both consumers and businesses”

Currys Chief Commercial Officer Ed Connolly said the agreement reflected the success of Currys’ long-term partnership with Vodafone: “We’re confident in our shared commitment to delivering quality, flexibility and value across all connectivity products. Our mobile offering is growing, it’s working for our customers, and it’s working for us too.”

The agreement positions Currys as a key retail channel for VodafoneThree, as the newly merged operator seeks to rapidly scale its presence in mobile and broadband markets through strategic partnerships.

Fairphone was founded in 2013 to produce smartphones that are environmentally friendly. The phones have a modular design, and components like the battery, screen, and camera can be replaced individually.

Owners can buy plug-and-play spare parts online from Fairphone.com. It comes with a five-year warranty and eight years of software support. Last year, Fairphone sold around 100,000 devices, down from the 115,000 units sold in 2022.

The Fairphone partnership is part of Currys’ ‘Long Live Your Tech’ initiative to encourage circularity. Currys claims to operate the biggest tech repair centre in Europe, a 500,000 square-foot facility located in Newark, which processes the repair, refurbishment, or recycling of almost three million devices each year.

Ed Connolly, Group Chief Commercial Officer at Currys, said, “As part of our ‘Long Live Your Tech’ mission, we are working with manufacturers, such as Fairphone, who share our ambitions to create a more responsible technology industry.”

Rutger Sneep, Chief Commercial Officer at Fairphone, said, “We’re excited to partner with Currys to bring our brand of sustainable tech to everyone in the UK. Our partnership is a testimony to two companies taking responsibility by bringing you the most sustainable products.”

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]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/currys-first-retailer-fairphone-modular-devices/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/currys-adds-vodafone-broadband-products-comms-range/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/currys-adds-vodafone-broadband-products-comms-range/#respond Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:58:01 +0000 https://mncwp.tailrd.cloud/currys-adds-vodafone-broadband-products-comms-range/ Currys will now be selling Vodafone broadband in its 300-plus stores in addition to Vodafone’s mobile products.

Currys will now be selling Vodafone broadband in its 300-plus stores in addition to Vodafone’s mobile products.

The two companies agreed a new multi-year partnership in January that Vodafone would continue to be the exclusive mobile network partner for Currys.

Vodafone’s Home Broadband portfolio will now be available at more than 300 Currys stores. Eligible Vodafone customers get a £3 monthly discount on Vodafone Together. The product range includes Vodafone Pro II Broadband which combines WiFi 6E Ultra Hub and Booster and enables more than 150 devices to be connected.

Vodafone claims to have “the largest fibre footprint in the UK and the most reliable in-home WiFi technology”.

Max Taylor, Vodafone’s Chief Commercial Officer in the UK, said: “I am delighted to announce the availability of our market-leading Home Broadband range with Currys. Vodafone has the largest fibre footprint in the UK and the most reliable in-home WiFi technology, all at affordable prices. There is no better time to switch to Vodafone Home Broadband.”

Lindsay Haselhurst, Chief Operating Officer for Currys, commented: “At Currys, we are passionate about helping everyone enjoy amazing technology and our broadband offering is a key enabler to getting the most out of your tech. So, we are excited to broaden our existing Vodafone portfolio to include Vodafone Broadband. Customers can save on their broadband bills when they switch to Vodafone Broadband and benefit from the UK’s most reliable broadband technology – available to more UK homes than anyone else.”

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Currys is testing a door-to-door unwanted tech recycling service called Currys Collects The pilot scheme in Bradford has an electric van collecting unwanted gadgets from front doors and also parking at the local community centre for drop-in sessions where Curry’s staff give out £5.00 Cash for Trash vouchers.

The service adds to Currys Cash for Trash service which recycled over 46,500 tonnes. 

Currys says people feel guilty for not recycling tech properly or not knowing how to do so correctly. It is estimated that 600 million batteries end up in landfill each year with 155,000 tonnes of e-waste thrown out annually.

Mandeep Gobindpuri, Head of Circular Economy at Currys said: “People want to recycle but either don’t know how to or lack the means to do so. Our new service aims to address both issues by collecting and educating the public. Anything that uses a plug or battery holds value no matter how damaged it is. We hope the Currys Collects pilot is a success and that we can eventually take it nationwide.’

Currys says its trial selling used tech online has been a massive success. The retailer started selling cheaper, pre-owned mobiles, laptops and Chromebooks on currys.co.uk three months ago and 80 per cent of the refurbished product lines of mobiles, and laptops sold out within the first week of sales.

Refurbished laptops are in particularly high demand says Currys. Around one in 10 online users are searching the site’s refurbished listings for laptops without the need for any marketing or promotion.

Products are checked, restored and repackaged in what Currys says is Europe’s largest tech repair centre. The Newark facility has processed 600,000 products in the last year. Some of these are now sold on currys.co.uk.

Each refurbished item is sold with charging power outlets and leads, All items are sold with a 12-month technical guarantee.

“The UK produces the second highest amount of e-waste per capita in the world. E-waste is a core reason why we are committed to our ‘Long Live Your Tech’ campaign” said Currys Head of Development Circular Economy, Mandeep Gobindpuri.

]]> https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/currys-hails-success-online-used-products-trial/feed/ 0 https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/three-uk-creates-new-partnership-currys/ https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/news/article/three-uk-creates-new-partnership-currys/#respond Wed, 18 May 2022 14:04:53 +0000 https://mncwp.tailrd.cloud/three-uk-creates-new-partnership-currys/ The collaboration expands the reach of Three Business and is the first time the network has partnered with a nationwide major retailer and district for business

Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone has confirmed it’s to rebrand as its all UK and Ireland stores as Currys as part of a big rebrand.

The Dixons Carphone brand will be no more as Currys PC World, Carphone Warehouse, Team Knowhow and Dixons Carphone will all come under the Currys banner by October.

The launch will go along with a brand new Currys website, with the company name being changed to Currys plc on the London stock market.

Over 300 stores will receive the new rebranding, along with its 13,000 employees wearing new uniforms, plus company vehicles.

According to Dixons Carphone CEO Alex Baldock the decision has been made in order to make it easier for customers when using the retailer.

“Above all, we’re doing this for our customers. They’ll see that it’s Currys, the number one, helping them from toasters to tellies, laptops to laundry, fridges to floorcare, mobiles to music,” said Baldock in a company statement.

Investment

The first new-look store was revealed today (May 13) in Edinburgh, featuring Currys new liveries.

Over the next two years the retailer has also confirmed it will invest £25m on skills, wellbeing and reward programmes for its colleagues.

Last week the company announced all 35 of its airport Dixons Carphone travel stores will close.

Dixons Carphone’s decision to close its 531 standalone Carphone Warehouse stores as part of a major restructuring of its business has been described as “inevitable” by industry experts. 

The retailer will shut the stores on April 3, but will continue to offer mobile devices and SIMs through its Carphone shops-within-shops in its 305 nationwide Currys PC World stores.

Dixons Carphone said it expected around 40 per cent (1,800) of the affected employees will take new roles within the organisation, but added that the changes would lead to around 2,900 redundancies. 

Standalone Carphone Warehouse stores represent eight per cent of Dixons Carphone’s UK selling space.

Uswitch head of commercial for broadband and mobiles Ernest Doku said: “The shifting nature of the mobile market – combined with the ongoing pressures of the high street and recent performance – made this announcement from Carphone Warehouse feel somewhat inevitable. 

“Consumers have begun to take more time between upgrades as phones last longer, while perceived differences between models have become narrower to end users.” 

In addition, he says people feel less of an urge than before to physically see the latest phone before deciding to upgrade, relying more on content from price comparison sites and online influencers to deliver information on feel, form factor and features. 

“This has created a perfect storm in which Carphone has had to drastically change tack in order to ride it out,” said Doku. 

Consolidation

Speaking to Sky News, John Caudwell, founder of defunct retailer Phones4U, called the decision “inevitable” due to the consolidation of the mobile phone industry. 

Dixons Carphone group chief executive Alex Baldock hopes the move will bring Dixons Carphone back to profitability, although he expects a £90 million loss this year. 

He said: “Customers are changing how they buy technology, and Dixons Carphone must change with them. We’re under way with a fundamental transformation to do so.

“Today’s tough decision is an essential part of that – the next step in making our UK mobile business a success for customers, colleagues and other shareholders. 

“Clearly, with unsustainable losses of £90m expected this year, mobile is currently holding back the whole business. There’s never an easy time for an announcement like this, but the turbulent times ahead only underline the importance of acting now.” 

Employee support 

Baldock added that Dixons would attempt to provide financial support for employees who are made redundant. 

“I don’t underestimate how upsetting this news will be for our colleagues, and we’ll treat everyone with honesty, respect and care. 

“We’re working hard to look after those colleagues we can’t find new roles for, financially and otherwise. We’ll pay enhanced redundancy and any bonuses, honour their share awards, and help them find new jobs through an outplacement programme. We recognise our responsibilities towards our colleagues and communities, and intend to fulfil them. 

“But though this is by far the toughest decision we’ve had to make, it is necessary. We must follow our customers. They want help with all technology, all in one place, and this trend is only going to accelerate in a more connected 5G world.” 

In its financial results for the half year ending on October 26, 2019, Dixons Carphone reported an 18 per cent decline in mobile revenues in the UK and Ireland combined, while overall group profits fell from £60 million to £24 million. 

The retailer said the closures were unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead down to the changing mobile market. 

However, IDC associate vice president for devices Francisco Jeronimo believes the virus forced the retailer to announce its decision earlier than expected. 

“They have been posting losses for the past few quarters. The stress of having to close all stores for a period of time would have a major revenue impact, so I think they are moving straight away to this decision rather than waiting another quarter or two,” he said. 

Comparemymobile.com mobile expert Rob Baillie agreed, adding: “Whilst plans have likely been in place for Carphone Warehouse to close standalone stores for quite some time and it hasn’t directly blamed the coronavirus outbreak, the pandemic will certainly have exacerbated the situation.” 

CCS Insight director of consumer and connectivity Kester Mann said cutting back on physical retail space in favour of an online focus was a “logical move”. 

“Carphone Warehouse has been caught in the unfortunate cross hairs of lengthening mobile phone replacement cycles and ongoing apathy on the UK high street,” he said. “It has been clear for some time that something had to give in its business. 

“As well as saving costs, the company has an opportunity to offer a best-in- class web-based retail experience that could differentiate it from rivals.” 

Mann added: “With more than twice as many people expected to keep their current mobile phone for longer than their last one, footfall has declined and mobile phone retailing is tougher than ever. Carphone Warehouse had no option but to make some major changes.