Retailing briefs

MIDDLETOWN, CONN. — Wireless Zone, a major authorized Verizon Wireless retailer in the Northeast, is expanding into the Midwest from Pennsylvania to Illinois. According to the retailer, it signed an agreement to move into Verizon Wireless' Midwest area, which includes franchise territories in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Automotive Technologies is the parent company of the Wireless Zone franchise chain, which has more than 270 Wireless Zone stores throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Florida markets. All the stores are independent franchises.

ST. CHARLES, ILL. — Thom Balistrieri, former Mitek and Leading Edge executive, has opened Thomas Charles & Associates, which will offer exclusive, full service manufacturer representation of CE, computer and automotive aftermarket accessories in Illinois and Wisconsin. In addition, the company will offer business consulting, market analysis, national rep networking, line placement, business plan design, national key account management and sales penetration into national retail and distribution channels. To contact the firm, call (630) 587-4022 or e-mail the company at TheCESource@aol.com.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — RadioShack reports it has formed a distribution, supply chain and retail alliance to serve the telecommunications industry worldwide with Axiom Telecom, Brightstar and Dangaard Telecom called BRAXDA Telecom. The four members collectively purchase over five million handsets annually, serve 52 countries, reach over 70,000 points of sale and have collective sales of over $10 billion. Axiom is said to be the largest retail and distribution services company in the Middle East; Brightstar is said to be the largest wireless distribution and supply chain management company in the wireless industry; Dangaard Telecom claims to be the leading European distribution and supply chain management company.

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. — Wireless Toyz doubled its retail store presence in 2005 and said it's poised to repeat the feat this year. The chain, which sells mobile phones, accessories and service plans by Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon and regional providers in 19 states, ended 2005 with 124 locations and has already signed franchise agreements for 125 new locations this year. New markets include Virginia, North Carolina and New Mexico, as well as Denver, Colo; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego and Orange County, Calif.; Tampa, Fla.; and Toledo, Ohio. The franchiser plans to have 1,000 stores in operation by 2011.