'Samsung Experience Shops' Coming to 1,400 Best Buy Locations

MacRumors · Apr 4, 2013

Last week, we noted that Samsung was rumored to be launching a new "store-within-a-store" concept inside Best Buy stores, taking on the dedicated "Apple Shops" that have been located in many Best Buy locations for a number of years.

Samsung and Best Buy have now officially announced the partnership, with "Samsung Experience Shops" focused on the company's mobile products coming to 1,400 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations over the next several months.

At the Samsung Experience Shops, consumers can experience Samsung's full range of mobile products including smartphones, tablets, laptops, connected cameras and accessories, all in one location. The shops enable consumers to interact with and buy Samsung's latest mobile products and experience how the devices connect together to enrich their lives.

Select Best Buy stores will have Samsung Smart Service(TM), which includes dedicated Samsung Experience Consultants(TM) and Best Buy blue shirt sales associates to assist customers with purchasing and activating mobile products on the carrier of their choice, understanding their device and supporting them throughout the lifecycle of their product. The specially trained Samsung Experience Consultants will assist with product demonstrations, basic product services, Samsung account set up, warranty registration and post purchase support.

The Samsung Experience Shops will be of a variety of sizes, with the largest measuring 460 square feet and others such as those in Best Buy Mobile locations being considerably smaller.

Article Link: 'Samsung Experience Shops' Coming to 1,400 Best Buy Locations

arcite · Apr 4, 2013

Do people actually still physically shop at Best Buy?

mattopotamus · Apr 4, 2013

arcite said:
Do people actually still physically shop at Best Buy?

Considering they usually price match, yes

ymmit · Apr 4, 2013

It doesn't actually look all that much like the Apple booths - I'm surprised.

Squilly · Apr 4, 2013

Nice shops.... in a bankrupt location (Best Buy).
I got an idea! Buy a spot in an Apple store and sell there!

Stella · Apr 4, 2013

arcite said:
Do people actually still physically shop at Best Buy?

Why wouldn't people?

Quicker than getting stuff mailed.

MauerFan said:
How original.

Of course, it was original when the Apple Store within Best Buy was introduced, right?

ArtOfWarfare · Apr 4, 2013

arcite said:
Do people actually still physically shop at Best Buy?

I do, on a fairly regular basis. I often need some media as a last minute gift, or an accessory yesterday. Online shopping is nice, but I'm going to be paying extra to get something tomorrow, whereas going to an actual store I can get something in 20 minutes for less money.

That roll out sounds a lot more aggressive than I was expecting. Does Best Buy/Samsung not think it would be a good idea to experiment with the concept before spending so much on it? They're hiring several dedicated staff for each location... That's going to cost a lot of money.

Also, whereas Apple sells items with a huge profit margin (Macs), Samsung doesn't have much of a margin for any of their products... How are they going to cover those wages (probably the biggest expense for them.)

AdeFowler · Apr 4, 2013

Welcome to SamsungRumors

Mac21ND · Apr 4, 2013

Ah, Best Buy.

The farmers market of technology, where every vendor gets their own fruit stand.

somethingelsefl · Apr 4, 2013

Why does the Samsung one have a checkout register, but Apple's does not?

Best Buy it a hot mess.

polymersayb · Apr 4, 2013

ArtOfWarfare said:
That roll out sounds a lot more aggressive than I was expecting. Does Best Buy/Samsung not think it would be a good idea to experiment with the concept before spending so much on it?

Apple already did that experiment for them.

BlueHusky · Apr 4, 2013

so this is mac + apple competitor rumors.~

rmatthewware · Apr 4, 2013

Stella said:
Why wouldn't people?

Quicker than getting stuff mailed.

Of course, it was original when Apple had a store within a store, right?

Not much quicker. I can usually get overnight delivery from Amazon for $4 with my Prime membership. And unlike Best Buy, I can see reviews and comparisons from the comfort of my home.

----------

BlueHusky said:
so this is mac + apple competitor rumors.~

You must be new here.

...

Oh, you are new. Welcome!

Fafafoooey · Apr 4, 2013

Samsung is just stupid

No original ideas, so copy everyone else.

I would never buy their products.

Navdakilla · Apr 4, 2013

Wowow.. another samsung idea to copy apples

slffl · Apr 4, 2013

The Best Buys in Seattle already have their own Samsung 'shops' setup. They used to have the Apple products front and center. Then about 2 years ago they moved all of the Apple products to the worst spots in the store and started promoting non-Apple devices heavily.

It's really pathetic when an American company will try to promote foreign companies over their fellow American companies.

CosmoCopus · Apr 4, 2013

I love Best Buy.

Stella · Apr 4, 2013

I suppose it depends where you live, there's a BB not 10 minutes from my current location, and no car or public transport required.

rmatthewware said:
Not much quicker. I can usually get overnight delivery from Amazon for $4 with my Prime membership. And unlike Best Buy, I can see reviews and comparisons from the comfort of my home.

Navdakilla said:
Wowow.. another samsung idea to copy apples

Apple DID NOT invent the store within a store concept.

mrxak · Apr 4, 2013

I only go to Best Buy these days to pick up a cable, or occasionally a thumb drive. I've never bought an Apple product at the Apple store-in-a-store, nor would I buy a Samsung product at their store-in-a-store.

Even though it's a longer drive, I'd rather go to my local Apple Store to shop for Apple products. Best Buy is just meh.

It's not like the Best Buy employees weren't already pushing their products. That's kind of the point of the Apple store-in-a-stores, to get some attention since they'd normally get none at all from the Windows and Android-using Best Buy employees. Does Samsung really think they're underdogs? I expect Best Buy was thrilled to have Samsung pay extra to do exactly what Best Buy was doing anyway. No idea what Samsung is getting out of the arrangement. Certainly won't be any additional sales...

syd430 · Apr 4, 2013

Imitation is the finest form of flattery. While they may lose market share, all this copying only reinforces Apple's image as a cultural icon.

Yvan256 · Apr 4, 2013

Let's put aside the "Apple vs Samsung" debate for a moment... can anyone else see future stores being nothing but company stores? Best Buy is turning into a mall-within-a-mall.

Jsameds · Apr 4, 2013

ymmit said:
It doesn't actually look all that much like the Apple booths - I'm surprised.

Apart from the fact that it's a Store in a Store in Best Buy with a contemporary, minimalist design, selling phones and tablets.

It's not as if Samsung has copied Apple before, right

syd430 · Apr 4, 2013

ymmit said:
It doesn't actually look all that much like the Apple booths - I'm surprised.

Actually it did... until it ran by Samsung's legal department.

MauerFan · Apr 4, 2013

Stella said:
Why wouldn't people?

Quicker than getting stuff mailed.

Of course, it was original when the Apple Store within Best Buy was introduced, right?

Of course

Thunderhawks · Apr 4, 2013

CosmoCopus said:
I love Best Buy.

Me too, they enable me to compare prices and confirm that I usually buy everything much cheaper than what they price items at.

'Samsung Experience Shops' Coming to 1,400 Best Buy Locations

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