Best Buy Canada (Vancouver, B.C.) and Bell Canada (Quebec) have opened the first small-format Best Buy Express, in the Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, B.C. The debut comes of the heels of the announcement early this year that most of the 167 stores planned for the brand will be housed in spaces formerly occupied by The Source, a Bell unit.
“We’re excited to see these new stores come to life as we double our store count, expanding our presence across Canada. We’re proud to be able to offer our ultimate shopping convenience to new and existing customers,” said Ron Wilson, President of Best Buy Canada, a unit of Richfield, Minn.-based Best Buy.
Said Blaik Kirby, Bell Canada’s Group President, Consumer and Small Business: “We’ve combined the best of both companies to create a one-stop shop for Canadians and all their tech and connectivity needs. We’ve made the shopping experience more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable for our customers and we couldn’t be more excited that it’s here now.”
The partners expect all the smaller-format stores to be open by the end of 2024. Many are in communities that have previously not had a Best Buy.
Customers will see:
• A curated tech assortment: In-store customers can interact with some of the latest tech with the help of associates known as Blue Shirts. More than 100,000 products will also be available to customers even if they’re not found in store, thanks to Best Buy’s fulfillment network.
• Quick and easy pick up: Customers will be able to shop Best Buy’s full assortment online from small appliances to headphones and have the convenience of picking up and returning products at these locations.
• Exclusive telecom services: Customers will be able to shop Bell, Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile telecommunications services.
• Geek Squad services: Best Buy Express stores will offer such squad assistance as protection and services for all consumer electronics products.
Best Buy Canada also operates 160 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across the country.