Sony Ericsson has announced that they will be closing its only UK flagship retail store by the end of this year after failing to turn a profit.  The flagship store is based in London’s posh Kensington area and after a launch back in late 2006, the joint venture with Carphone warehouse is coming to a close.  According to UK trade magazine, Mobile Today, Sony Ericsson has also ruled out opening any more stores in Western Europe in the foreseeable future and instead focus on adding to its 200 existing stores in the Asian market.

Lianne Norry, VP for retail marketing at Sony Ericsson, told the magazine,

“The market conditions in western Europe don’t make it appropriate for us to open stores here.” She added that “the dominance of big multiple chains and operator stores in the UK market contributed to make it difficult for Sony Ericsson’s direct retail ambitions in the UK.”