Best Buy to open Shanghai store
Looking to gain a foothold in China's burgeoning electronics and gaming market, American retailer Best Buy will be opening their first Chinese store in the Xujiahui district of Shanghai this summer. Executives at Chinese electronics chains Suning, Yolo, and Gome are denying rumors that they have formed an alliance to combat their new "laowai" competitor. However, Suning CEO Sun Weimin has suggested that the mainland retailers will continue their strategy of cooperation.Although console gaming is not very popular in China at the moment, online PC gaming is huge, and the presence of another "legitimate" games retailer should aid the Chinese government's plan to crack down on software and DVD piracy. Indeed, Chinese gamers will soon be able to plunk down 480 yuan and pre-order official copies of games 12-18 months in advance.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mandarin @ Jun 15th 2006 1:24PM
Finally I can say Best Buy Sucks in Mandarin...
JonD @ Jun 15th 2006 1:47PM
I think you mean "laowai"...
32_Footsteps @ Jun 15th 2006 1:49PM
Fortunately, after the Great Leap Forward, Chinese citizens are used to waiting in long lines for a very limited supply of goods.
Okay, that was really wrong, but I couldn't resist.
James @ Jun 15th 2006 1:52PM
If you think Best Buy is interested in the gaming market there, you're wrong. China right now is like the US in the 50s, its an appliances revolution there. This'll have a heavy, heavy focus on appliances, some home theatre, etc.
Best Buy also bought the fifth-largest electronics retailer over there. Smart move on the company's part, a ton of the infastructure is made and China is a goldmine.
Buhda @ Jun 15th 2006 1:54PM
BBY has had a team over there for years now, this is not new news. Maybe just not open to the public.
chris @ Jun 15th 2006 2:57PM
Maybe we should be sending the people over the the link for the
www.bestbuysux.org
website and lete them have a look at this then they can decide if they want to but from a retailer like this.
Matt E. @ Jun 15th 2006 4:49PM
So now the people in Shanghai are going to get "Best Buyed".
obi-wan @ Jun 15th 2006 8:10PM
Hey James, I think that's why the post says, "electronics and gaming market." ;) You may be right about the appliances, but DVD movie and game piracy is a huge problem there. LG is a big appliance name there. Wonder if they'll carry it.