This report looks at recent developments in telecommunications retailing, particularly at the changes within the mobile phone industry. Mintel’s exclusive consumer research shows the purchasing profiles of different retailers and consumer attitudes toward mobile phone products. Equipment types included in this report are home telephones, answer phones, mobile phones, fax machines, pagers, and other accessories.

As audio-visual goods such as digital TVs, DVD players and mobile phones increasingly saturate households with attractive technologies, multiple electrical retail groups are expected to experience strong price competition.

Although sales of mobile phones will continually rise, the industry will show slower growth because of high market penetration. New features that allow users to send pictures, music files and video clips, and Internet access will contribute to mobile phone success.

Since the ability for consumers to purchase higher priced electronic goods depends on household income, growing PDI figures and household numbers are positive signs for the telecommunications retail market.

Retailers that focus on younger consumer needs for appearance and style have introduced appealing phone designs, as well as upgrade packages. Affluent consumers will increasingly shape the telecommunications market as they can afford to trade up to new models of technologically advanced products.

What new developments will impact telecommunications retailers?