Carphone Warehouse managing director Matt Stringer reckons the mobile industry is well-placed to ride out the continued economic storm
“If the cynics are to be believed, 2011 is set to provide one of the most challenging economic backdrops the retail industry has ever faced.
“There’s no doubt the year ahead is going to be tough; the VAT increase, Eurozone difficulties and cuts in Government spending are likely to cause customers to think twice when it comes to splashing out on a mobile and other connectivity devices.
“While the mobile industry is by no means immune to economic hardship, I think it is resilient in many respects.
“Customers are not going to stop using their handsets. They are more likely to curtail other areas of their spending first.
“The smartphone evolution was the main driver of growth in 2010 and is certain to continue in 2011.
“The intense rivalry between Apple, Android, RIM, Nokia and Microsoft will see more operating systems, form factors and features cascade into the mid-tier.
“Alongside this are the increased levels of data usage and accessories take-up.”
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