Best Buy Canada and Bell Canada are partnering to launch 167 small-format consumer technology retail stores across Canada branded Best Buy Express.
The inaugural Best Buy Express store has opened in Guildford Town Centre, Surrey, British Columbia, today.
“Opening 167 stores in five months may be a North American first. It’s certainly bold in retail today. We’re excited to see these new stores come to life as we double our store count, expanding our presence across Canada. We’re proud to be able to offer our ultimate shopping convenience to new and existing customers,” said Ron Wilson, President, Best Buy Canada, in a statement.
The launch of the new concept will be a phased rollout over the next six months, with all stores expected to open by the end of 2024, following completion of renovations.
Officials said many stores are opening in communities that have previously not had a Best Buy.
“After months of planning and preparation, everyone here at Bell is thrilled to see the first Best Buy Express open its doors. It’s a huge milestone in our partnership with Best Buy, and it’s just the beginning with more stores coming soon,” added Blaik Kirby, Group President, Consumer and Small Business, Bell, in a statement.
“We’ve combined the best of both companies to create a one-stop shop for Canadians and all their tech and connectivity needs. We’ve made the shopping experience more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable for our customers and we couldn’t be more excited that it’s here now.”
This is what customers can expect at the new stores, according to Best Buy:
- Curated assortment of tech – In-store customers will have the opportunity to interact with some of the latest and greatest tech with the help of Blue Shirts. Over 100,000 products will also be available to customers even if they’re not found in store, thanks to Best Buy’s world class fulfillment network;
- Quick and easy pick up – Customers will be able to shop Best Buy’s full assortment online from small appliances to headphones and have the convenience of picking up and returning products at these locations;
- Exclusive telecom services – Customers will be able to shop Bell, Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile telecommunications services, all backed by knowledgeable sales and support they’ve come to expect from Best Buy and Bell; and
- Geek Squad services – Best Buy Express stores will offer Geek Squad services including Protection and services for all consumer electronics products.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. , Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada’s largest and most innovative omnichannel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, and Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.ca) brands. There are over 160 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across Canada and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca.
Bell is Canada’s largest communications company, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc.
Jennifer Barr, Vice President, Best Buy Express, said the majority of Best Buy Express stores will be located in shopping malls across the country, from major cities to smaller communities “enabling us to get closer to our customers.”
“This store is the first of 167 consumer technology retail stores that will open over the next six months. At this scale and speed, we think this expansion is a North American first.”
Ivano Pirro, Vice President, Retail for Bell, Virgin Plus & Best Buy, said the size of the stores range between 1,540 and 4,300 square feet with most stores being around 2,000 square feet.
“Partnering with Bell on this business venture is centered around customer convenience. Best Buy Express stores will double Best Buy’s store count in Canada over the next six months and allows us to reach 59 brand new markets that do not already have a Best Buy store,” said Barr.
“This partnership leverages the strengths of both our companies creating an exceptional shopping experience for Canadians. Together we’re bringing the best of both worlds, offering Canadians a one-stop shop for all their tech and connectivity needs. Best Buy Express offers Best Buy’s expertise in the latest and greatest tech from the world’s leading brands, plus Bell, Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile telecom services, all with the trusted support customers have come to expect from us both.”
Last time I went to a Source store, I was asked at least five times about my phone and Internet service. All I wanted to buy was An HDMI cord. I didn’t appreciate being bothered about it, I ended up leaving it on the desk and bought it elsewhere.
I suspect this won’t change. In fact, it’ll only get worse.
I miss Radio Shack.
Source employees are trained to interact with customers as soon as they walked in, its not their fault for doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, and maximizing sales, upsizing, offering mobile services solution, and not to mention everyone is fighting their own battles just to get the commission and be ahead in the competition to earn a good reputation from management above.
If you are not happy with that, then I apologize in behalf of all all Source Employees (and other employees out there who are experiencing similar scenario)
This is a smart move. La Source is the only electronics store within walking distance from my house. The staff there is friendly and helpful. While I don’t mind heading downtown to shop at Best Buy, now that I and many of my neighbours are spending more time in front our computers at home, we’re also shopping more in the neighbourhood. If BestBuy’s purchasing power means lower prices and a wider variety of items, they should be able to compete with Amazon’s same day delivery.
Bell is basically licensing the name, it’ll be the same thing, just a different name.
They’re renaming all Source stores to Beat Buy Mobile anyhow..
Hold on, what about The Source stores that are in close proximity to already existing Best Buy locations? Will those too be rebranded to Best Buy Express, or will they close outright? I feel like it would be the latter, because of the possible huge overlap of stores. I understand that these Express locations are not full scale stores, but they do offer similar, if not the same, services as the full scale stores, with the exception of appliances of course, but if companies like National Sports taught us anything, it’s that overlap isn’t good for the main company, because it cuts into their bottom line, and just makes the whole corporate structure more clunky.
I too miss Radio Shack. It says in press releases that there are going to be so many Best Buy Express stores opening but it does not say how many The Source stores will be closing permanently. I hope my local store not close because I refuse to travel 2 hours and have to hire someone to take me to the nearest Best Buy express. They might lose business.