Samsung Electronics Canada Strengthens National Retail Presence to Provide Consumers with Connected Shopping Experiences

Two Standalone Samsung Brand Experience Stores in addition to 33 Samsung Experience Shops in Future Shop and Best Buy locations scheduled to open by spring 2014

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Samsung Electronics Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of the world's number one smartphone manufacturer today announced its plans to expand its Canadian retail footprint. These plans consist of opening two new individual Samsung Experience Stores in Edmonton, AB and Richmond, B.C. in addition to 33 Samsung Experience Shops™ in partnership with Best Buy Canada and Future Shop.  All retail locations are scheduled to open by spring 2014, creating widespread destinations where consumers can experience Samsung's extensive product ecosystem and learn how they work together from dedicated Samsung Experience Consultants™.

Samsung's overall Canadian retail strategy is driven by the success of its first Brand Experience Store introduced in July 2012, in Burnaby, B.C.  Consumers have responded positively to having increased interaction with the brand and its products in one convenient space, prompting the opening of additional Samsung Experience Stores and the launch of Samsung Experience Shops to provide Canadians with more integrated shopping opportunities.

"Samsung is a leading brand bringing unique, cutting edge experiences to Canadian consumers," said James Politeski, President of Samsung Electronics Canada.  "We are expanding our retail presence to ensure consumers get the most out of our innovation by learning how to leverage their mobile devices across our ecosystem of consumer electronics. Consumers nationwide will now have convenient access to explore and learn about our portfolio of mobile products, with the support of a trained Samsung Experience Consultant."

About the Samsung Experience Stores
Following the success of its first branded, standalone store in Burnaby, B.C., Samsung is opening two additional Samsung Experience Stores in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, AB (2,200 square feet in size) and in the Richmond Centre in Richmond, B.C. (1,900 square feet).  Both Samsung Experience Stores are expected to open by 2014 and will include a dedicated service and training area, providing consumers substantial access to Samsung's latest products.

About the Samsung Experience Shops
Samsung has entered a unique relationship with Best Buy Canada, the country's largest consumer electronics retailer, centered on retail innovation for customers to explore, purchase, activate and service a broad portfolio of Samsung mobile products and accessories.  Thirty-three Samsung Experience Shops approximately 625 square feet in size will be installed in Future Shop and Best Buy stores by the end of spring 2014.  The first three shops are now open at Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Heartland Town Centre, Deerfoot Meadow and Edmonton North.

Both the Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung Experience Shops allow consumers to experience Samsung's full range of mobile products including smartphones, tablets, laptops, connected cameras and accessories, all in one location, assisted by a dedicated team of Samsung Experience Consultants.  With an extended retail offering, consumers can interact with and buy the latest Samsung products and experience how the devices work together to allow consumers to play more, do more and share more.

"We are excited to be showcasing Samsung products in the Samsung Experience Shop in our Future Shop and Best Buy locations," said Martin Vander Velden, VP Merchandising, Best Buy Canada.  "Our promise to our customers is simple: we're committed to providing unparalleled service, selection and value. The Samsung Experience Shop is another way we're delivering on that promise." 

Samsung's retail strategy is influenced by the brand's broader consumer-focused approach on providing compelling experiences that address consumer needs.  By expanding its retail footprint, Samsung remains committed to maintaining its strong leadership position by broadly providing an unprecedented level of service and education on its products through 2013 and extending into 2014.

For a comprehensive list of Samsung's retail locations, visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Canada 
Samsung Electronics Canada offers a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics including televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. The Canadian arm, selected as one of Canada's Top 10 Marketers of the Year in 2012 by Marketing Magazine, upholds Samsung's global mission to open new possibilities for people everywhere, providing users premium experiences that are unparalleled due to Samsung's innovative technology and stylish design. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the consumer electronics industry both in terms of business leadership and brand strength. In 2012, Samsung was ranked #9 in the Interbrand "100 Best Global Brands" breaking the top ten for the first time, and was named as one of Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies of 2011".

To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com

Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on Twitter @SamsungCanada

About Best Buy Canada
Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). We are Canada's fastest-growing retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics, computers and entertainment products. With over 70 Best Buy stores across Canada, we offer a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) sales environment. Every day our employees are committed to helping deliver technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For information about Best Buy Canada, visit www.BestBuy.ca.

About Future Shop
With 140 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs more than 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website, Futureshop.ca, to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells. Futureshop.ca also hosts an online community forum and tech blog called Tech Yeah for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshop.ca/techyeah). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration).

SOURCE Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "A Samsung Experience Consultant giving a product demo at the new Samsung Experience Shop at Heartland Town Centre, Mississauga (Photo Credit: The Canadian Press Images/Salvatore Sacco) (CNW Group/Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131023_C6417_PHOTO_EN_32454.jpg