Telecom is cancelling dealership arrangements with three Dunedin retail stores because of changes to the cellphone market, which could eventually see other Telecom retail dealerships close nationally.
The Orb Communication store in Filleul St, the Leading Edge Communications store in Cumberland St and Basil North Leading Edge in Gordon Rd, Mosgiel, will stop being Telecom retail outlets, but owners of the businesses spoken to declined to comment other than to say they would remain open, supplying and servicing other brands.
Telecom will remain at city retail outlets in Police St and on the corner of George St and Moray Pl.
A spokeswoman for Telecom said in a statement the move was part of an effort to streamline operations and provide consistent customer service.
"The mobile market has matured, there are more options for where to buy products and Telecom customers are demanding an improved and more consistent level of service however they choose to interact with us."
The decision to reduce Telecom's retail presence followed a review of all its retail stores, and final decisions on which stores elsewhere in the country would close were still to be made, she said.
However, the company was promising to retain its "geographical footprint", she said.