Vodafone buys 140 Phones 4u outlets

Network operator Vodafone is acquiring 140 stores of Phones 4u retail chain, which collapsed after British operator EE decided not to renew its marketing deal with it last week.

The acquisition by Vodafone has saved around 900 jobs at the retail chain.

However, according to administrator PwC, it had failed to prevent 628 redundancies among head office and tele-sales staff at Phones 4u's Staffordshire offices.

PwC, which approached Vodafone for a deal, continues to be in discussion with other parties regarding the purchase of assets and said it planned to retain a further 400 head office staff to assist with its work.

It would release the details of the 140 stores in the Vodafone deal nex Monday.

Phones 4u entered administration last Monday.

The firm counted a 5,600 workforce at 560 Phones 4u stores and a further 160 concession outlets.

Dixons Carphone said on Wednesday it would take on the 800 staff that worked at 160 Phones 4u sites within Currys / PC World stores.

Vodafone said, "Our offer was accepted by the administrator and we are pleased to report that approximately 900 (887) former Phones 4u employees will keep their jobs and join our dynamic retail business.

"Subject to court approval, we will start engaging with these employees and begin the rebranding of the stores to Vodafone as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Belfast Telegraph reported there were several Phones 4u stores in Northern Ireland, but which ones would be saved in the chain would not be known until Monday.