Recently in retail stores Category
An Amdocs survey explored what
influences the customer experience when shopping at retail stores, along with brand perceptions.Despite the option to purchase devices and plans online, consumers are still choosing to visit service providers' retail outlets. The top three reasons cited for visiting a retail store were:
- The ability to obtain the device right away.
- Direct access to the device to "touch and feel" it before purchasing.
- To consult with an expert regarding the device's features and rate plans.
- Top reasons for abandoning the purchase was the store representative was either not knowledgeable enough about the devices or service plans
- or that the wait time to complete the transaction was too long.
- Store sales staff received the lowest customer ratings in the areas of speed of service, as well as for their concern as to whether the customer had purchased the best service plan or phone to meet their needs
- Highest ratings
were awarded for courtesy and friendliness.
- The survey found that a smartphone transaction can take up to an average of 15 percent longer than a traditional phone purchase, with increased time and resources devoted to identifying the right product, completing the paperwork and finalizing the purchase.
Wireless Giant and InMotion Entertainment have joined together to
develop and operate additional "BlackBerry from Wireless Giant"
retail stores in new transportation centers, including major
airports and rail stations across the United States. The stores will exclusively sell BlackBerry products and services. InMotion Entertainment's primary responsibilities will include site selection, lease negotiations, and location development. Wireless Giant will provide specialized training, BlackBerry smartphones and accessories, as well as concept development, marketing and operational guidance.
BlackBerry from Wireless Giant are innovative retail
stores featuring the most comprehensive offering of BlackBerry products
and services and providing an exceptional purchasing experience for
both consumers and corporate customers.
RadioShack and T-Mobile y announced a retail agreement to offer T-Mobile®products and services in more than 4,000 RadioShack stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico beginning later this summer. The relationship expands RadioShack's postpaid wireless offerings, and enables RadioShack to offer its customers a selection of T-Mobile's most innovative, in-demand handsets - including the highly anticipated T-Mobile myTouch 3G with Google. For T-Mobile, the agreement nearly doubles the number of national retail partner stores offering its postpaid products and services nationwide, and makes RadioShack T-Mobile's largest national retail partner. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"RadioShack is focused on growing our mobility category and is committed to providing our customers with a broad selection of the best wireless products and services in the industry," said Peter Whitsett, executive vice president and general merchandising manager at RadioShack. "The ability to offer a full line of T-Mobile devices, including the hottest exclusive T-Mobile handsets, reinforces RadioShack's leadership in wireless."
Best Buy is opening Best Buy Mobile
stand-alone stores in 3 popular malls. The new Best Buy Mobile store incorporates:- A specialized assortment of mobile products featuring mobile phones, ultra-portable notebook computers, mobile media devices and accessories
- Knowledgeable, non-commissioned associates including Geek Squad agents
- Best Buy Mobile's Walk-Out-Working program which provides multimedia and smart-phone set up
- Straight-forward pricing, including no rebates
- Product repairs, loaner phones, and additional services that keep the technologies up and running
At 3,000 square feet, the new Best Buy Mobile stores are double the size of the original stand-alone Best Buy Mobile stores, yet not as large as traditional Best Buy stores, which average about 40,000 square feet. The stores offer consumers impartial, informed advice in a boutique-like setting.
Stores will launch in three mall locations this month:
- The Mall of America in Bloomington, MN (Oct. 17)
- Fair Oaks Mall, in Fairfax, Va. (Oct. 17)
- Woodfield Mall, in Schaumburg, Ill. (Oct. 31)
Best Buy Mobile was created as a joint venture with leading U.K. mobile retailer The Carphone Warehouse Group (CPW) in 2006.
Wireless and Mobile News was invited to the opening of the Sony Style store, located at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, California.
For people who like very stylish electronics and expert service, visiting a Sony Style store is worth a trip. Sony electronics look very good in person, especially the screens. They offer training and concierge services to their customers. We particularly liked the pink notebook computer with a built-in webcam.
We were also told that you will able try out the unlocked Sony Xperia smartphone in Sony Style stores, in early November. We always recommend that phone buyers try out their phones first.
Currently, Sony Style stores are showing the new Sony Reader Digital Book. The new model, PRS-700, incorporates an interactive touch screen display on an an liquid ink technology display.
“The new Reader Digital Book allows consumers to carry the reading material they want in a convenient format that fits into their on-the-go lives.,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading Business Division.
The Sony Style stores will be the first place where consumers can test drive, as well as pre-order, the new Reader beginning next week.
When customers enter the Online Experience Store at www.att.com/onlineexperience,
they will see a 3-D representation of an AT&T store layout,
complete with a simulated Microsoft Surface unit. They can choose a
guided video tour from AT&T "representatives" or explore the sights
and sounds of the five stations independently.
The representatives are young and happy. The presentations of the phone show the phone and mention the major features of the phones, but don't give reviews.
In glorious black and white Hesse sits at the counter of old fashioned coffee shop:
"Technology is only great when you know how to use it," Hesse says in the ad. "First we revolutionized wireless plans. Now we want you to get the most from these amazing devices."
With Ready Now, Sprint has trained and committed its retail associates to work one-on-one with customers to personalize phones, set up features and demonstrate how phones work - before customers leave the store.
A survey conducted by Opinion Research found that smartphones were the most returned electronic technology products of last holiday season, with slightly more than one-fifth (21%) of smartphone buyers returning their purchase to the retailer. Not understanding how to set up the product was cited as the primary reason for the return.
Sprint customers can choose how much or how little they want to learn about the features and applications on their phone. Customers also have a choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate while in the store, or they can make an appointment for a later time. For additional customer convenience, Sprint customers have the flexibility to schedule appointments either in the store, or online via Sprint's store locator tool. Customers can visit www.sprint.com/readynow to schedule an appointmentMetroPCS, provider of unlimited, flat-rate, pay in advance wireless communications service, announced that its handsets and service are available at more than 200 Best Buy locations.
The retail agreement between Best Buy Mobile and MetroPCS will make MetroPCS’ products more widely available in the 14 markets where service is available. MetroPCS phones purchased from any of the 200 Best Buy Mobile store locations in MetroPCS markets can effortlessly be activated by simply pressing *228.
Starting September seventh.
Same price, new locales.
