Bell and Best Buy Canada announced Wednesday the first of the Best Buy Express small-format retail stores — rebranded from The Source as part of the companies’ strategic partnership announced in January — has opened in Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, B.C.
Under the partnership, Bell and Best Buy plan to introduce 167 of these rebranded consumer technology stores in a phased rollout over the next six months, with all stores expected to open by the end of 2024, following the completion of renovations, according to a Bell press release.
Best Buy Express will offer a curated assortment of consumer tech from Best Buy with more than 100,000 products available through its fulfillment network, as well as exclusive telecommunications services from Bell, Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile “all backed by knowledgeable sales and support”, the release says. In addition, the stores will offer Geek Squad services for all consumer electronics products.
“Opening 167 stores in five months may be a North American first. It’s certainly bold in retail today,” Best Buy Canada president Ron Wilson said in the release. “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.”
“After months of planning and preparation, everyone here at Bell is thrilled to see the first Best Buy Express open its doors,” said Blaik Kirby, Bell group president of consumer and small business. “It’s a huge milestone in our partnership with Best Buy, and it’s just the beginning with more stores coming soon. 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.”
Photo of the Best Buy Express store in Guildford Town Centre, Surrey, B.C., supplied by Bell
