Samsung already has the “Experience Shops” in Best Buy retail locations, however it appears as if they may be looking to take the relationship a bit further. There has yet to be a firm announcement by either Best Buy or Samsung but report coming from the Korea Times did mentioned how Lee Jae-yong, Samsung’s vice chairman “recently met with senior executives at Best Buy and discussed pending business issues.”
Sadly, Lee didn’t provide any further details on the meeting. This nonetheless, comes among rumors that Samsung has been considering acquiring a stake in Best Buy. An analyst at HMC Securities, Kim Young-woo recently spoke about how “Samsung has been considering increasing subsidies paid to Best Buy in a strategic move to help the retailer and also increase the exposure of its products.”
This sounds like an obvious plan for Samsung to gain more exposure across the US. While this would not be the same experience as say, an Apple Store, it would certainly be a quicker path. With that in mind, Lee jae-yong also touched on how they see Best Buy as being critical in their plans to increase US market share.
Looking back to April when Samsung announced the Experience Shops. At that time they talked about how these would be a good way for customers to “explore, purchase, activate and service the broadest portfolio of Samsung mobile products and accessories.” Basically, expanding the relationship could have these smaller shops increasing in both size and numbers.
