Let's get ready to rumble
Best Buy has been deliberately cagey about its European plans, partly because it doesn't want to give away information to future competitors like DSGi, and partly because it still hasn't finalised precisely what those plans are.
Here's what we know so far: Best Buy Europe was created when US electronics retailer bought half of Carphone Warehouse in 2008. It will be creating a large number of large (30,000 sq ft+) out-of-town stores across Europe starting next year. As well as targeting the likes of DSGi and Comet, it also has the likes of Tesco in its sights.
Last week Best Buy Europe issued a press release announcing its recruitment drive in the UK, where it expects to hire up to 8,000 people. The most prominent location on its job site is Thurrock, which is where we understand the first store will be opened in the spring of 2010, closely followed by Southampton.
Kam Prajapati, general manager of the Thurrock store, detailed the kind of employee they're looking for. "We're looking for good communicators who are keen to learn and are passionate about technology," he said. "With our ‘Blue Shirt' training programme, we aim to create a new breed of technology experts who are focused on customer service. If this sounds like a challenge for you, then please get in touch.
"The new Best Buy store is located at the Junction Retail Park in Thurrock and will showcase up-to-the-minute technology, including visual and audio equipment, computing technology, entertainment devices, mobiles, music, movies and games."