Phone Companies Cater to Hands-On Consumer Demand; Retail Stores Becoming More Wired So Customers Can Test Features

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Byline: David Bauerlein

The battle for supremacy in the cellphone industry entails a high-powered ground game as well.

In the past month, Cellular Sales, an authorized retailer for Verizon Wireless, and AT&T each opened new standalone Jacksonville stores showcasing products for those carriers.

Verizon Wireless plans to build a company-owned, standalone store in the coming months in the River City Marketplace mall on the Northside.

The construction of the stores demonstrate the continuing strength of cellphone sales and the desire of customers to take a hands-on approach to buying them. Just as phones are getting more advanced, retail stores …