TUFF Phone flexes muscles on high street with Get Connected partnership

TUFF Phones began manufacturing its own smartphones in 2016

Rugged smartphone vendor TUFF Phones has struck a partnership with mobile retailer Get Connected to sell handsets in the retailer’s stores as it enters a high-street chain for the first time.

The tie-up will see the full range of TUFF phones available in stores, including the recently released T500 handset.

All 55 Get Connected shops will range the TUFF brand from April 1, with the stores located across Wales, the West Midlands and the South West.

TUFF Phones business development manager James Booker says the partnership reflects the growth of the TUFF brand. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in our growth story and sees our devices being sold directly to consumers on the high street,” he says.

The company began in 2010 as an online retailer for several rugged manufacturers, such as CAT and RugGear, before making its own TUFF devices from 2016.

There are currently dummy models of TUFF Phones in some Get Connected stores ahead of launch, says Booker.

He told Mobile News that the retailer provides a “great fit” for the manufacturer and a solid entry point to the high street.

“Get Connected is a very large retailer and a fast-growing independent retailer. They tend to fit with us, as they understand our brand and proposition,” said Booker.

“Moving forward, it can help us build our brand awareness on the high street, and it will help consumers to understand what the brand is about and help TUFF Phones to grow.”

The company also confirmed that it will launch a refresh of its smartphones later this year.