Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2006/01/20/phones4u_3g/

Phones4U raves about '3G Christmas'

Corners third of 3G sales

By Tim Richardson

Posted in On-Prem, 20th January 2006 12:10 GMT

Three in 10 of all 3G phone contracts sold in the UK are flogged by Phones4U shops, the retailer announced yesterday.

"This has definitely been a 3G Christmas for Phones4U," said boss John Caudwell, echoing comments made by Dixons that this year had been a "digital Christmas".

"I believe Phones4U is attracting younger and more technology-savvy customers than any other high-street mobile-phone retailer in the country," he chirped.

His bullish comments came as the retailer revealed record profits on the back of strong Christmas trading. Publishing results for the 12 months to December, the firm reported that group turnover rose 15 per cent to £2.12bn while EBITDA (earnings before interest etc) hit £161m.

The firm - which also includes phone business Caudwell Communications as well as mobile handset and accessories distributors 20:20 and Dextra - is still looking for a buyer following the tycoon's decision to flog his business empire.

A shortlist of firms interested in buying the business is being compiled with a sale likely to be completed later this year. ®