Retailer offering ‘top 25’ handsets SIM-free and will begin selling Vodafone contracts later in the summer
John Lewis is to begin selling SIM-free handsets and Vodafone contracts as part of a ‘new mobile strategy’.
The first part of its strategy saw 25 of the most popular SIM-free handsets go on sale via the John Lewis website yesterday with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S6, the LG G4 and HTC One M9 included.
SIM-free iPhones will be available from early July online and from its Oxford Street store. All handsets sold by the retailer will come with with a two-year guarantee.
Other handsets available include models from Microsoft Lumia, Sony, Motorola and Doro.
John Lewis will also begin selling Vodafone contracts at selected stores from mid-August. The first store to offer contract sales will be its Cheadle outlet with the Oxford Street store to follow from the autumn.
Customers will be able to browse handsets in a dedicated mobile area in its technology department which will be manned by John Lewis and Vodafone staff.
It says it will be recommending two contracts to customers; one with low data allowances and one with high data allowances but it will be able to sell all Vodafone plans.
All will come with Vodafone’s Data Test Drive which gives customers unlimited data for the first three months and two years worth of accidental breakdown cover at no extra cost.
“We know from our website traffic and searches that customers are actively looking for mobiles from us, but it’s important we go into this market in a John Lewis way,” said John Lewis electricals and home technology buying director Jonathan Marsh.
“At the moment there are thousands of potential combinations of mobile handsets and tariffs on the market, which can be really daunting for customers and this is why we’re determined to bring John Lewis levels of excellence, simplicity and value to the mobile market. Our buyers have done all the homework to make it easier for customers to find a deal that’s right for them.”