14 DAY TRIAL // Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia plans on closing down its flagship stores in New York and Chicago next year, recent news around the web show. The company will rely on distributing its handsets in the United States through carriers and retailers, it seems, and will probably also have in place the Online store that most of you might already be familiar with.
The announcement regarding the future shut down of the two stores comes shortly after the company announced the closing of its Regent Street retail location in the UK. According to the company, the stores were mainly aimed at showing to the world what Nokia was all about, and were also meant to offer a new retail experience to customers.
A recent article on Engadget shows that Nokia already confirmed the closing of the New York and Chicago locations. According to the company, the decision came in line with its new market strategy, and it is also a part of a global realignment of its retail strategy. Both flagship stores are expected to be closed down at the beginning of the next year, it seems. Here's what Nokia reportedly stated on the matter:
“In North America, over 90 percent of consumer purchases are made through carriers - Nokia continues to support our relationship with carriers in this market, as well as the continued expansion of our retail partner network with the likes of Amazon and Best Buy (for example), in line with our strategy. As we continue to expand our services and solutions offerings across these various channels, we have decided to close the NY and Chicago stores to allow more concentration on our other channels.
The Flagship stores 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 NY and Chicago (2006), consumer awareness in the U.S. has grown substantially. Weighing those dynamics with Nokia's clear strategy in North America, and our well-established retail channel with third parties, we will close these two stores (New York and Chicago) in early 2010.”