BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Next week the UK’s first Best Buy store will be opening its doors, carrying electric bicycles, lights, helmets and accessories.
The huge US-based giant’s first store on these shores will be based in Thurrock, Essex. While the chain is best known for stocking consumer electronics, Best Buy bosses have confirmed that new stores will have dedicated ‘GreenTech’ areas selling energy saving products, electric cars, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles.
Best Buy will stock exclusive electric bicycle models as well as bikes from Gocycle, Urbanmover and Izip. Prices start at £399.99 and the ranges will cover urban commuting, hybrids and metro bikes.
Best Buy’s ‘Geek Squad’ will offer 24 hour technology support and advice, setting up and assembling bikes for free in-store or arranging delivery of any brand new electric bicycle fully set up for prices starting at £49.99.
The arrival of Best Buy in the UK has been years in the making and is part of a long-term strategy from the retailer, which plans to create 8,000 jobs in the UK over the next five years.
The Thurrock store, opening April 30th, will be followed by Best Buy outlets in Hedge End (Southampton) in June, Merry Hill (West Midlands) also in June, followed by Aintree, Liverpool and Croyden in Surrey – all before winter 2010.
Paul Antoniadis, Best Buy Branded Operations CEO, said: “We want our customers to know that Best Buy is different and this innovative and inspiring range is just one example. Never before has a consumer electronics retailer in the UK had an entire area devoted to green technology nor had such a comprehensive choice of electric vehicles. Our customers can pop in to browse for a movie and could end up riding home on a super-cool bicycle or something else.
“As with all our products we want our customers to try before they buy and we’ll have test drives available on a wide selection of our vehicles – licence dependent of course. And all of our car parks will have electric charging points so customers can power-up for free while they browse.
“Whether it’s the latest and greatest in entertainment, making your technology that bit more efficient and so helping you to save money and energy, making your commute a bit more exciting and economical or replacing your fridge-freezer, Best Buy really does have everything under one roof in consumer technology.”
We’ve got more on the new store, including pre-opening day photos, here.
