Cellphones at supermarkets

Supermarket shopping trolleys could see mobile phones tucked in alongside the milk and bread under a retail deal by mobile operator 2degrees.

2degrees, set to launch in August, said yesterday it would be using major retailers including supermarkets, petrol stations and electronics stores to sell its mobile phones and SIM cards.

Sales and marketing officer Larrie Moore said 2degrees SIM cards would be sold at nearly 3000 outlets with 400 Noel Leemings, Bond & Bond, Dick Smith, Warehouse Stationery, Woolworths, Foodtown, Countdown and BP selling the phones.

"We just want to make it simple for people to purchase 2degrees products and services whenever they want to and wherever they are," said Moore.

IDC analyst Rosalie Nelson said it showed 2degrees' positioning as a mass-market player. "This is prepay because there is not going to be people signing up contracts ... at any of those outlets."