Sprint announced a joint venture agreement with European electronics retailer Dixons Carphone to open up to 500 new stores in the US, following a successful pilot.

The companies, which launched the initial initiative last year, said they will equally fund the start-up costs, as well as each retain 50 per cent of the joint venture ownership.

The pilot, which saw the companies agree to jointly build and operate 20 new stores in select US markets, saw “strong sales performance and increased satisfaction ratings”, claimed Sprint in a statement.

The operator said it will also use the partnership to “help fuel its retail transformation,” as well as expand its store footprint.

It recently also announced a branding agreement with troubled US retailer RadioShack, and already reportedly operates 1,100 stores in the US.

Marcelo Claure (pictured), Sprint CEO, said the company had seen “incredible results for our pilot programme”, as he talked up the company’s commitment to enhancing customer experience at the retail store level.

“I’m confident that expanding our partnership will accelerate Sprint’s distribution expansion and ongoing retail transformation,” he said.

UK-based Dixons Carphone has targeted expansion in the US, and has been working with Best Buy to launch Best Buy Mobile.