Best Buy to battle DSG International with launch of UK stores
US electronics retailer Best Buy is preparing to launch five stores in the UK as it looks to battle Currys owner DSG International.
Best Buy, the US consumer electronics retailer, will today reveal details of its challenge to Currys owner DSG International, with four stores across the UK in the spring and summer and a fifth in south London later in the autumn.
The first 50,000 square foot store will open in Thurrock, Essex, offering advice on buying and integrating home entertainment systems, computers and mobile phones.
In a direct challenge to DSG, Best Buy claims it will help customers transfer files and contacts from existing devices to new ones whether purchased at Best Buy or not. Personal advice sessions can be booked using the firm's website.
Britain is the launchpad for expansion into Europe for Best Buy, which has 21% of the US electronics market and employs 150,000 worldwide.
The company signalled its intention to open stores in the UK in 2008 when it bought half the European and UK operations of Carphone Warehouse for 1.1bn. DSG reacted to the threat last year with an overhaul of its flagging empire of city centre and out-of-town stores.
John Browett, chief executive of DSG, told shareholders that they must forego dividends while the massive investment in store refurbishments and customer service went ahead.
Earlier this month, he said the firm planned to create 33 megastores by the end of the year.The megastores, most of which will contain both the PC World and Currys formats, will be between 35,000 and 55,000 square foot. The company's current dual-format stores are between 15,000 and 35,000 sq ft.
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