BEST BUY UK

So past week or so been a lil busy getting my shit together (life post-uni needs to be on top for me), working on a project or two and getting ready to line some serious work up so I got my head down for the moment. Last week I did however come across the UK's first BestBuy store which opened May this year in Lakeside and passed by just to see what it's all about.

BestBuy, for those who are unfamiliar with the U.S. technology superstore was founded in 1966 as The Sound of Music store and changed its name in 1983. Today it is the largest electronics retailer in the U.S and Canada and operates around 1,300 stores.  The company bought half of The Carphone Warehouse's retail business in 2008 for £1.1billion, using the phone company's 2,400 retail stores to help it break into the European market. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than £27 billion in annual revenue.

Now, all of the industry press earlier this year made a big hoo haa about the store's grand opening, which saw many electrical goods shifting for less than 50% of their normal retail price, and the effect the store could have on other electric and entertaiment good stores like Curry's and Comet, as well as the supermarkets like Tesco who also sell Chart CDs as well as electrical goods.

Upon entrance, I just rolled my eyes and thought here we just have an over hyped-up Comet store from America that happens to sell CDs as well. However, you do immediately notice the number of staff on the shop-floor, I mean there were blue shirts in every aisle literally, which is something you definitely don't find in shops like Comet.

I'm looking around, CD section isn't that vast so again I thought 'why the hype?,' still picking up two albums to purchase. Did have a lil fun on the Serato set up they've got ready for use, and fell in love all over again with the iPad in the Apple section, in which I might add had one of the sweetest workers making sure I was all good. Purchased my goods, was just about to leave when their supervisor (such a nice guy had a lovely chat) insisted I check out there Home Cinema and 3-D TV rooms. Did I mention they're even selling green technology vehicles like the Tesla Roadster and Gocycle electric bike.

But anyway besides all that one thing I will say about Best Buy, is that it's less about they products they sell and more about the service they offer. I've never been a shop where staff are so ready to help, and not in that "please go away I'm just tryina look around" way either. Their 'Walk Out Working' service makes sure everything is up and running as you wish before you even leave the store including transferring contacts onto your new gadgets, setting up apps etc., and their staff really do go the extra mile to make sure you get what you want.

So where this store may not be much different from the others in terms of look and products, if you are looking to buy some electricals, pick up a new album and want great customer service all at the same time, Best Buy may just be that place to visit.