How does the closing of Future Shop impact independent stores?
Posted April 4, 2015 8:12 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It was a shocking announcement for many last weekend when Future Shop closed its doors for good. The electronic giant flat out closed 66 stores, while the rest are converting to Best Buy.
So, if the electronics giant can’t make it work financially, what does it mean for smaller, independent stores?
It’s not a prediction of a death sentence, but those stores will have to adapt.
But John Williams with the Toronto-based JC Williams Group says there will always be a segment of people who want to do their shopping in person.
“Well it doesn’t mean they are going to go, it means they have to change the game. People like myself still like to shop in a store,” he explains. “I am a techno nerd and I need a lot of hand handing and explanation so I’m still going to be going to those stores.”
Although those shops won’t be able to compete with places like Best Buy when it comes to price. Williams says they’ll really have to focus on customer service to retain buyers.
He says almost a third of people now buy their electronics online.
