Samsung To Open 1,400 Apple-Esque ‘Experience Shops’ Within Best Buy Stores
Given that Samsung clearly likes to follow in Apple’s footsteps, it comes as no surprise to us that it is set to open 1,400 Apple-esque Experience Shops in Best Buy stores throughout the United States.
The Korean company is aiming to give potential customers the opportunity to get their hands on its mobile products and “experience how the devices connect together to enrich their lives” before they decide to purchase them. Specially trained “Samsung Experience Consultants” will also be there to offer post-purchase support.
900 Experience Shops will open by early May, Samsung announced in a press release today, while the rest will open this summer. In addition to Samsung’s popular Galaxy smartphones, the shops will also stock tablets, laptops, connected cameras, and accessories.
“Samsung has been delivering the latest innovation across the consumer electronics category for some time,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America. “With the Samsung Experience Shops, we are ensuring consumers get the most of that innovation by learning how to leverage their mobile devices across our ecosystem of consumer electronics.”
“Consumers will have one place to not only explore and learn about our full portfolio of mobile products, but also the support of a Samsung expert to help with selecting and servicing them,” Sohn continued. “This will truly be a unique mobile shopping experience.”
“Unique” isn’t a word I would use to describe the Samsung Experience Shop. After all, Apple has been doing exactly the same thing with its Apple Stores since 2001. In fact, the Cupertino company is famous for its distinctive approach to retail, which has long been unlike anything its rivals have offered.
And before you shoot me down in the comments, know that I’m actually a Samsung fan. I’ve owned a number of Galaxy devices — I currently have a Galaxy S III — and I’m sure I’ll buy many more in the future. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that the company can’t help following its biggest rival here and there.