Best Buy to Open First China Outlet
SEPTEMBER 01, 2006 — Best Buy Co. Inc., Richfield, Minn., has announced plans to open a store in Shanghai’s busy Xujiahui shopping district by year end–the chain’s first outlet in China. Best Buy is partnering with Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co., China’s fourth-leading appliance and consumer electronics retailer, to open the new store. In May, Best Buy announced that it paid $180 million for a majority stake in Jiangsu Five Star, giving the retailer an immediate presence in Asia’s fast-growing market. Best Buy says it is concentrating on researching the market and recruiting and training staff before making its next move in China, which is one of Asia’s most saturated and competitive markets for appliance retailers and manufacturers. “We are still learning about this marketplace,” said Robert Willett, Best Buy’s CEO. “The Chinese consumer is pretty unforgiving if we get it wrong.”