Retailer Phones 4u 'Forced Into Administration'

Thousands of jobs at Phones 4u are at risk after the retailer says it was forced into administration when network operator EE joined Vodafone in cutting ties with the firm.

The retailer, which employs 5,596 people, says its 550 standalone stores will be closed until the administrators decide on whether the business can reopen for trading.

The company said the decision by EE not to renew its current contract, which is due to end in September next year, was a "complete shock" and meant it would be left without a single network partner after Vodafone said earlier this month that it would not extend its agreement.

The retailer said the decisions of EE and Vodafone were a 'complete shock'

Phones 4u says it has a healthy balance sheet with profits of more than £100m, but had no option but to go into administration.

Chief executive David Kassler said: "Today is a very sad day for our customers and our staff.

"If the mobile network operators decline to supply us, we do not have a business.

"A good company making profits of over £100m, employing thousands of decent people has been forced into administration.

"The great service we have provided should have guaranteed a strong future, but unfortunately our network partners have decided otherwise.

"The ultimate result will be less competition, less choice and higher prices for mobile customers in UK."

The business was set up by John Caudwell, who sold it in 2006 for £1.5bn

Staff have been asked to report to work as normal on Monday morning when they will be briefed by management.

Phones 4u said all mobile contracts bought through Phones 4u will remain unaffected and the networks will continue to provide mobile services to these customers.

Customers were also told that orders which were not dispatched in advance of the decision will not be honoured, though full refunds will be given.

The process of appointing PwC as an administrator was expected to take place on Monday.

The announcement helped shares in rival Dixons/Carphone Warehouse rise 4% in early trading.

Stefano Quadrio Curzio of BC Partners, Phones 4U's private equity owner, said: "Our overriding concern is for all the dedicated hard-working employees of Phones 4u at a time of uncertainty for the company.

"Vodafone has acted in exactly the opposite way to what they had consistently indicated to the management of Phones 4u over more than six months.

"Their behaviour appears to have been designed to inflict the maximum damage to their partner of 15 years, giving Phones 4u no time to develop commercial alternatives.

"EE's decision on Friday is surprising in the context of a contract that has more than a year to run and leaves the board with no alternative but to seek the Administrator's protection in the interests of all its stakeholders."

A spokesperson for EE said: "In line with our strategy to focus on growth in our direct channels and to move to fewer, deeper relationships in the indirect channel, and driven by developments in the marketplace that have called into question the long term viability of the Phones 4u business, we can confirm that we have taken the decision not to extend our contract beyond September 2015.

"We will monitor developments and work to provide any necessary support for customers who joined EE through Phones 4u."

The business was set up by entrepreneur John Caudwell in the mid-1980s.

By the time he sold it for £1.5bn in 2006 it was selling 26 phones a minute and employed 10,000 people. It generated sales of more than £2.25bn.

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