Manufacturer expected to cut numbers from six to just three, with the results of a three month review expected to be announced tomorrow.
Samsung is expected to cut up to half of its existing UK mobile distribution partners following completion of its three month channel review.
The manufacturer, headed up by Samsung UK mobile and IT vice president Conor Pierce, issued a ‘request for information’ (RFI) to all of its existing partners back in April as part of plans to “refocus and realign” the UK mobile and tablet business.
Existing distributors Ingram Micro, Exertis, Data Select, Tech Data Mobile, West Coast and Brightstar are also said to have been involved in the tender process, with Genuine Solutions also said to have shown interest. The results are expected to be revealed to partners tomorrow (June 10).
Pierce, who famously axed Data Select and 20:20 Mobile as Nokia partners back in 2011 in favour of Exertis (then Micro P) and Ingram Micro Mobility, told Mobile News back in April he expected the number of partners to be reduced. Sources from those involved in the tender claim the manufacturer has made it clear it wants relationships with just three or a maximum of four.
Commenting in April, Pierce said: “We have some great distribution partners working with us, but now is the time to refocus our energies on creating a strong future for the IM brand. Once the tender is completed, we will have the right distribution landscape in place that will help us deliver against our ambitious business goals in 2015 and in the future.”