Four large-scale Google shops open inside new-look Best Buy "Experience Stores" in Canada
TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - It's a North American first: Best Buy stores in four Canadian cities are now home to large-scale Google shops, where consumers can fully experience the company's family of hardware, like Pixel, Daydream View and Chromecast Ultra.
Google Canada's "shop within a shop" spaces were officially opened today at the Best Buy location in Mississauga's Heartland Town Centre, along with three others in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The exciting collaboration is part of Best Buy's redesigned Experience Stores, and today's opening marks the official culmination of the large coast-to-coast renovation plan that saw upgrades made to more than a dozen locations.
"We are thrilled about the launch of our newly renovated stores and to showcase the new Google shops," says Ron Wilson, President and COO of Best Buy Canada. "We are committed to providing our customers with the best service and the most exciting tech. We can't wait for the public to enjoy the special in-store experiences."
In October, ten smaller Google shops were introduced in Best Buy stores. However, today marks the debut of the significantly larger scale shops which enable Google to showcase its family of hardware in an immersive retail space.
"We're proud of the collaboration with Best Buy and their new Experience Stores, particularly as the concept aims to enhance the traditional way of shopping and aligns with Google's immersive approach," said Janell Fischer, Director of Retail Marketing at Google Inc. "Google shops bring a whole new way for shoppers to experience and interact with our products, complete with trained Google guides who will be onsite to offer one-on-one tech help."
At Google shops, guests can go hands-on with Google products in interactive and experiential spaces. Shoppers can also experience Portal, an immersive super-sized display where they can 'fly' over anywhere on the planet through Google Earth, explore what people around the world are searching for and play other fun Google apps.
In addition to booking 1:1 appointments with Google guides, customers can also take part in hands-on daily workshops to learn the ins and outs of Google tech and sign up for unique and fun seasonal events, led by YouTube creators, popular tech experts, and more.
Best Buy Canada continues to be a leader online, recently being named the Best Omni-Channel Large Retailer for the third time in a row at the Canada Post E-commerce Innovation Awards.
"We're really proud to bring Canadians together with Google's tremendous new line of hardware, to experience the latest innovations first hand," concluded Best Buy President & COO Ron Wilson. "This is exactly why we have redesigned our Experience Stores – to provide the perfect environment for enthusiastic people and bold new technologies to come together."
About Best Buy
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY), Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada's largest and most successful omni-channel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile and Geek Squad ( www.geeksquad.ca ) brands. With nearly 200 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across Canada, and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca , Best Buy is a leader in Total Retail, catering to customers how, when, and where they want to shop. Best Buy Canada is committed to making a positive impact in the community with programs and partnerships that support youth to connect with technology to advance their education. For more information visit BestBuy.ca .
SOURCE Best Buy Canada
Image with caption: "Best Buy Mississauga hosts Google's first "shop within a shop" in North America (CNW Group/Best Buy Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161118_C8786_PHOTO_EN_822187.jpg
Christine Tam, Manager, External Communications, Best Buy Canada, [email protected], 604-809-3416
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