Helio opening retails stores

Late Friday, MVNO upstart Helio announced plans to open a number of branded retail outlets nationwide. Using same firm that helped Apple develop its retail presence, Helio will open its first store in October on Santa Monica, CA's Third Street Promenade outdoor mall. Other locations will include New York, Denver, San Diego and Palo Alto, CA. The lack of retail presence has been a huge factor for today's struggling MVNOs, and for good reason. The Wall Street Journal, citing Ovum research, points out that both Sprint and Cingular get 55 percent of their activations via branded retail stores.

Read more about Helio's retail plans:
- see the WSJ article (sub. req.)
- read this Slashphone blog (includes photos)