LONDON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Britain's biggest mobileoperator EE said on Monday it had agreed to buy 58 stores fromretailer Phones 4u, which was placed inadministration a week ago.
Last week, rival mobile operator Vodafone UK announced the takeover of 140 Phones 4u stores and retailerDixons Carphone agreed with administrator PwC to take on800 Phones 4u employees.
"We can confirm that we have agreed with the Phones 4uadministrator to purchase 58 stores, safeguarding 359 jobs,subject to court approval," EE said in a statement.
Phones 4u entered administration on Sept. 15 after its lastremaining network client EE decided against renewing itscontract.
As part of EE's deal, 58 stores and their employees willtransfer to EE with immediate effect and shops will bere-branded to EE.
Most of them are expected to open in the next week, EE said. (Reporting by Karolin Schaps; editing by Susan Thomas)