Electricals group Best Buy Europe is understood to be considering opening smaller stores as it prepares to review the success of its first big boxes next spring.
Smaller shops would mark a shift for the retailer, which is a partnership between the US giant and Carphone Warehouse and intended its big-box format to be a game-changer in the UK.
However, Carphone executives told analysts after interim results earlier this month that smaller shops would be considered.
Best Buy launched its transactional website a fortnight ago, and there is said to have been internal discussion about whether smaller stores would also work now that the whole range can be offered online. Ideas are said to include selling white goods online only.
Smaller retail park stores would potentially take Best Buy into the territory of Comet, which sees its medium-sized shops as a key differentiator from rivals.
Best Buy’s UK shops so far have measured between 30,000 sq ft and 50,000 sq ft and the retailer insisted there were no changes to its plans.
Best Buy said: “We have been clear from the outset that we have a strong structural advantage from being able to leverage our multichannel platform.
“It’s no surprise that people will speculate. Any updates and news about the business will come from Best Buy Europe and not any individual shareholders or analysts.”
Comet aims to “revolutionise” consumers’ online experience after transforming its website.
The site, which went live on Wednesday, has been revamped to reflect Comet’s ‘come and play’ positioning and includes user-friendly features such as increased personalisation, improved product information including videos and capacity to search by product suitability, such as well-reviewed washing machines for large families.
Comet has moved onto the IBM Websphere Version 7 platform to make the changes. Head of direct channels Ryan Thomas said: “We’re taking two years of research to deliver a revolutionary user experience tailored to customers’ needs.”
The online electricals battle is hotting up. Best Buy’s site went transactional this month and Dixons Retail-owned Currys and PC World have also revamped their websites.
Comet ramps up etail
Comet aims to “revolutionise” consumers’ online experience after transforming its website.
The site, which went live on Wednesday, has been revamped to reflect Comet’s ‘come and play’ positioning and includes user-friendly features such as increased personalisation, improved product information including videos and capacity to search by product suitability, such as well-reviewed washing machines for large families.
Comet has moved onto the IBM Websphere Version 7 platform to make the changes. Head of direct channels Ryan Thomas said: “We’re taking two years of research to deliver a revolutionary user experience tailored to customers’ needs.”
The online electricals battle is hotting up. Best Buy’s site went transactional this month and Dixons Retail-owned Currys and PC World have also revamped their websites.
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