US retail giant 'Best Buy' launches in UK this week

[amir_j]

Anyone familiar with the US concept and how you think it will go down in the UK?


Carphone Warehouse imports the American fashion for 'big box' stores with the opening of its first Best Buy outlet later this week

Selling everything from £90,000 Tesla electric sports cars to the latest 3D flatscreen TVs, affordable digital cameras and, of course, mobile phones, the 45,000 square foot store in Thurrock, Essex is a little slice of American retail in the shadow of the Dartford Crossing.

The Thurrock store is the first of eight or nine which Carphone Warehouse will open before the end of March next year under its joint venture with the US retailer announced two years ago. The company still hopes to have about 100 across Europe by 2014.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/apr/26/bes...

[5unny]

I always found Best Buy quite appealing when visiting America but that was only because of the prices (and the $/£ rate).

However I can't see what they would offer over here. It would just be like a slightly bigger version of PC World.

[okgo]

5unny said:

I always found Best Buy quite appealing when visiting America but that was only because of the prices (and the $/£ rate).

However I can't see what they would offer over here. It would just be like a slightly bigger version of PC World.

slightly bigger version of pc world?

possibly the worst comparison you could have made, ever.

[AndrewW-G]

is it just me or does it sound a bit like an electronics version of costco?

[okgo]

AndrewW-G said:

is it just me or does it sound a bit like an electronics version of costco?

It sounds like a store this country coudl do with.

America have a couple of these do EVERYTHING places and they are great, Target is another one.

closest we get here is places like John Lewis I reckon

[Spiritual_Beggar]

AndrewW-G said:

is it just me or does it sound a bit like an electronics version of costco?

That's pretty much what it is tbh. Though, not quite as big warehouses.


Good store. Always enjoyed going when in the US. Easy to find what you want.

[MX7]

Don't Aldi/Lidi work along similar lines?

[ErnestM]

Best Buy is a gadget lover's dream. Has just about everything for pc users, gamers and video/audio folk. Top of the line kit...

Best Buy, effectively, put Circuit City out of business (if anyone remembers them from visits to the US)

[Plotloss]

ErnestM said:

Top of the line kit...

:cough:

It's all commodity product.

[anonymous-user]

I Love Best Buy and buy a lot of stuff there. They usually have the best deals on top brands and the staff are invariably knowledgable and friendly. Unlike a lot of their competitors (try getting through the door at HH Gregg without getting accosted) the staff do not rely on commission so the shopping experience is much more enjoyable. If they are coming to Britain it should be a plus.

[davido140]

ErnestM said:

Best Buy is a gadget lover's dream. Has just about everything for pc users, gamers and video/audio folk. Top of the line kit...

Best Buy, effectively, put Circuit City out of business (if anyone remembers them from visits to the US)

And if comet/dixons/currys dont up their game they will be going out of business very soon too.

From my experience there isnt much difference between Internet prices and best buy, whereas there are typically fairly sizable savings to be had on all sorts of stuff on the 'net compared to shop prices at those three.

Add to that the moronic staff, who know little or nothing about the products they are selling and all they want to do is shift an extended warranty.

Although the latter may be a problem of the UK rather than just those shops.

[dvs_dave]

Best Buy are great! From low end to pretty high end kit and the latest of everything in between. Always spend hours in them in the US just browsing all the gadgets and stuff they have.

Comet, Curry's etc on the face of it are similar but just seem to never actually have anything decent or anything you want.

There is a similar store in Germany called Saturn which works very well and they're always packed.

[Mermaid]

dvs_dave said:

There is a similar store in Germany called Saturn which works very well and they're always packed.

Great choice, sensible prices.

[nelly1]

dibbers006 said:

Best Buy Lakeside opened today.

...cute muffin pixie.

Stuff the store - pictures man, pictures!

[ErnestM]

It has been my experience in the US that there are two classes of Best Buy stores...

The smaller stores: slightly more limited in product. They have the same basic "layout" just smaller floor space dedicated to whatever product occupies that floor space. Best to call ahead to see if they have what you are looking for. Usually occupies space with other retailers "next door"

The larger stores: audio/visual/pc/gamer/camera nirvana. If I can get in and out of one of those for less than $1000 US, I'm doing good. They will have what you are looking for plus about 5 alternatives and several things that you didn't even know you "needed". Usually in a stand alone building.

[va1o]

Did anyone manage to get one of the £179 Toshiba 32" TVs they had as one of the launch offers? I should imagine a lot of them will end up on eBay..

[jbi]

Hooray!!!

This should stir up the market a bit

[Blue Meanie]

Well, best buy is one of my favorite 'meandering' stores... They are probably one of the only decent big stores when it comes to service. Is the geek squad going over too?

[crmcatee]

We need Fry's and their Friday sales... That'll get some interest in the market..