A cord retainer is utilized in association with a portable electrical device, such as a cellular phone or a portable disc player. The cord retainer includes a base which is connected with the electrical device and a flange which is connected with and extends from the base. The flange and base may cooperate with a surface of the electrical device to at least partially define a groove into which a cord may be manually wound. The cord retainer may be integrally formed as one piece with the electrical device. The cord retainer may have a plurality of flanges which at least partially define the groove into which the cord is wound. The cord retainer may be movable between extended and retracted positions.