Nokia Shutting Down Flagship Stores During 1Q 2010

Nokia has announced that it is shutting down its flagship retail locations in London, New York and Chicago due to its focus shifting from direct consumer sales to a more conventional retail partnership model with retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon along with increased carrier cooperation in the US.

The flagship locations were first opened in 2006 in order to serve as destinations for the Nokia brand with an emphasis on consumer awareness. The company had initially planned to open 17 flagship locations in all across the the world, with the locations in London, New York and Chicago opening up in 2007. The above locations will be closed during the first quarter of next year.