Samsung ups the ante on Apple with an extra 15 stores

Phonemaker teams up with Phones 4U just days after inking mega Carphone Warehouse outlet deal

Samsung has piled more pressure or rival Apple by signing off a deal with retailer Phones 4U to open an extra 15 stores across the UK, days after inking a similar agreement with Carphone Warehouse.

Just last week, the smartphone maker - which is branching out into wearbable tech - agreed a "preferred partner" deal with Carphone Warehouse to open around 60 stores across Europe, between 20 and 25 of which will be in the UK.

But the firm did not stop at that, and decided to expand its existing partnership with Phones 4U, which saw the opening of the first Samsung store in East London's Westfield shopping centre in 2012.

The duo worked together during the London 2012 Olympics where the retailer opened a string of pop-up shops for Samsung as part of its Games sponsorship.

Scott Hooton, chief marketing officer at Phones 4U hinted that the 15 stores could be the first of many.

"The first fifteen stores will showcase a full range of Samsung phones, computing accessories and wearable technology," he said. "We are already a leading retailer of Samsung phones and are thrilled to be further developing our strong relationship."