Best Buy set to close
Discussion
I'm shocked to hear this on the radio this morning, but for some reason not surprised...
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42899/carphone-war...
It always seemed a risk given the performance of Dixons and the like of recent years.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42899/carphone-war...
It always seemed a risk given the performance of Dixons and the like of recent years.
That is a shame. Bought some stuff for the house there - I always got the impression they were trying to compete with the online market (i.e. amazon/other e-tailers) rather than focus on purchases in store. I wouldn't be surprised to see them emerge as an online only outfit ilke Dixons.
Best Buy are massive in the states, i think they tried to play on their well-known brand values that no one in the UK knows and have therefore not done very well.
It strikes me of American organisation arrogance and also a lack of a decent strategy on Carphone Warehouse's part.
They should have looked at WalMart's acquisition of Asda as a good example of how to infiltrate the UK market.
It strikes me of American organisation arrogance and also a lack of a decent strategy on Carphone Warehouse's part.
They should have looked at WalMart's acquisition of Asda as a good example of how to infiltrate the UK market.
I got my tumble dryer from them, great deal and excellent service. Surprising to see they've made such a loss, although the market they're in doesn't traditionally ride a recession out too well.
They never seemed to advertise very much to me; certainly when I told people where I got my t/d from, the usual response was "Who?"
They never seemed to advertise very much to me; certainly when I told people where I got my t/d from, the usual response was "Who?"
TankRizzo said:
I got my tumble dryer from them, great deal and excellent service. Surprising to see they've made such a loss, although the market they're in doesn't traditionally ride a recession out too well.
They never seemed to advertise very much to me; certainly when I told people where I got my t/d from, the usual response was "Who?"
Never herd of them until now but given my nearest store is 95 miles away that's not surprising.They never seemed to advertise very much to me; certainly when I told people where I got my t/d from, the usual response was "Who?"
I had a look on their website when they were running a radio campaign but I found their prices weren't really any cheaper than other electrical retailers. I was looking for a laptop and found Currys were cheaper by about 75 quid on roughly the same model.
I also find it strange that if they wanted to expand into the UK that they opened so few stores.
I also find it strange that if they wanted to expand into the UK that they opened so few stores.
s1962a said:
Their delivery drivers were very helpful, and even called when an hour away from delivery. I think the idea of BestBuy is good as far as customer service goes, but they didn't really offer much in terms of competitive pricing.
Except they were still burdened with UK staff! Only a small percentage of the staff took on the whole Best Buy mantra and as such going into the Hedge End one was no different to going into a Currys or Dixons. Nobody pays any attention to you in any of the stores and quite honestly view you, the customer as a hindrance to their day!I bought a new vacuum cleaner there (just grabbed a box off of the shelf once nobody had bothered to come over while I was looking at them) and a few other bits there and frankly there is no reason to buy there other than price and that's rarely the best around.
I tried to buy a tumble dryer there but the range was dire and again, nobody bothered to see if they could help me.
I wonder why they didn't succeed in the UK? What was different about the UK business model compared to the US one that makes one a roaring success and the other a complete failure?
The target consumer on each side of the the Atlantic can't be all that different, although it seems Best Buy UK weren't especially cheap, where as in the US they are.
The target consumer on each side of the the Atlantic can't be all that different, although it seems Best Buy UK weren't especially cheap, where as in the US they are.
dvs_dave said:
I wonder why they didn't succeed in the UK? What was different about the UK business model compared to the US one that makes one a roaring success and the other a complete failure?
The target consumer on each side of the the Atlantic can't be all that different, although it seems Best Buy UK weren't especially cheap, where as in the US they are.
They are only hanging on in the US because their competitors, circuit city and compusa, both have gone under already so they are just about all that is left for a national big box shopThe target consumer on each side of the the Atlantic can't be all that different, although it seems Best Buy UK weren't especially cheap, where as in the US they are.
I would say this is a really tough Market to crack. Prices of electrical goods have dropped in real terms over recent years and margins are very thin. Retail space and staffing is pricey even out if town.
They went up against currys and comet who I think really raised their game and smaller operators like richer sounds are quicker to respond and employ enthusiasts.
I remember being well chuffed with a 32 inch toshiba tv @ £749.99 in 1997, more recently I got a 50 inch plasma for £499.99 just one example but I doubt costs have reduced and I guess many test drive kit in the stores then buy on line. Also supermarkets now gave a huge presence in this area.
They went up against currys and comet who I think really raised their game and smaller operators like richer sounds are quicker to respond and employ enthusiasts.
I remember being well chuffed with a 32 inch toshiba tv @ £749.99 in 1997, more recently I got a 50 inch plasma for £499.99 just one example but I doubt costs have reduced and I guess many test drive kit in the stores then buy on line. Also supermarkets now gave a huge presence in this area.
this ^^, by chance was in Rotherham on their opening day, very disappointing compared to the experience of the pricing and service level in their US stores.
To be fair they do have / had a % of staff who do know / knew their stuff as opposed to the competition who seem to employ staff who can only either read labels or act as a till monkey. Admittedly there are some exceptions, eg an older guy in Currys who really knew his stuff on cookers.
To be fair they do have / had a % of staff who do know / knew their stuff as opposed to the competition who seem to employ staff who can only either read labels or act as a till monkey. Admittedly there are some exceptions, eg an older guy in Currys who really knew his stuff on cookers.
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