Joining the likes of Apple and Sony, Samsung is preparing to open several retail outlets throughout the country this year. While still working out all the details, the manufacturer is likely to open at least one Samsung store as well as Samsung-branded “Experience Zones” and “store-within-a-store” kiosks in partner stores.
“We definitely want consumers to experience the Samsung brand in a way that they have not experienced it before,” Samsung Electronics Canada president James Politeski said in an interview.
“We want them to see everything that Samsung can bring to them… we want to give consumers the opportunity to experience the brand and the products in a way that they’ve never seen before, that really takes that experience up.”
Samsung is already testing the store-within-a-store kiosk with TELUS. The two have partnered to offer “Galaxy Headquarters” where customers have a chance to play with Samsung’s smartphones and tablets. Samsung benefits from being able to showcase its products rather than having them potentially lost among competing devices.
As with Apple and Sony, Samsung is looking to use the retail locations to help it establish itself as a premium electronics brand.
Microsoft, which has opened a number of stores in the U.S., is also looking at expanding north of the border sometime this year. The report suggests that its first store could open at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto. Maybe Samsung will end up there as well.
Read more: The Financial Post