RadioShack, the Fort Worth-based consumer electronics chain, said Monday it will stop selling mobile phones in Target stores in April, ending a 3-year-old partnership.
Instead, Minnesota-based Target announced that Brightstar, the world's largest specialized wireless distributor and leading provider of diversified services to the wireless industry and MarketSource, a provider of integrated sales and marketing services company, will support Target Mobile beginning in April.RadioShack executives said in October that the company was losing money at mobile phone kiosks in 1,500 Target stores and was attempting to renegotiate its partnership. RadioShack managed Target's post-paid mobility business, but not the prepaid mobility business or the wider range of accessories offered in Target stores."In order for RadioShack to have continued this relationship, we needed to establish a new agreement that would be financially appealing to both companies," said Telvin Jeffries, RadioShack executive vice president, in a statement. "Ultimately, we amicably agreed to dissolve the relationship."RadioShack will stop selling in Target stores on April 8.RadioShack began selling mobile phone service in about 100 Target stores in October 2009 and within a year announced the progam's expansion to most Target stores.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Sandra Baker, (817) 390-7727Twitter: @SandraBakerFWSTHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
