Vinyl has gone up in the windows of the Three store in Liverpool ONE, signalling a takeover by Vodafone. A planning application filed with Liverpool City Council requests new advertising for the premises, with the store set for a major rebranding.
Vodafone's Full Ownership of VodafoneThree
Vodafone paid £4.3bn to acquire the remaining 49% of VodafoneThree, giving it full ownership of the UK's largest mobile operator. The deal came just over a year after Vodafone UK and Three UK completed their merger, following conditional approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The merger reduced the UK mobile market into three major network operators: VodafoneThree, BT/EE, and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2).
New Look for the Store
Text on the vinyl in the Liverpool ONE Three store's windows reads: "We're getting a new look - and it's big!" and "We are busy upgrading [...] bringing the best of Three and Vodafone together. More choice, same great service." The planning proposals include removing Three's signage in favour of Vodafone's bright red branding and quotation mark. A reopening date has yet to be announced.
Other Recent Changes in Liverpool ONE
Last week, Liverpool ONE re-welcomed Karen Millen after seven years in response to customer demand. Founded in 1981 by British designer Karen Millen, the label operates primarily online as part of the Debenhams Group. However, as part of its return, it will now be housed in the TFG London store at 5 South John Street. Mulberry is also on the horizon, occupying a unit in the recently renovated Keys Court plots. The upcoming store will be the luxury label's first dedicated branch in Liverpool. Liverpool ONE recently confirmed the opening date of the very first Lefties store in the UK, which will open on South John Street across two floors on Thursday, August 27.
