Just stepped into a new Bestbuy yesterday, first one in western canada. Pretty cool, I guess...
Their car audio boards where amazing, but the staff seemed very green.
How do you see these guys changing the way consumers shop? Who is going to get hit the hardest?

i think in the short run people will shop because its new, like a new restaurant or bar, but will see the same things you saw, green inexperienced clerks. long live the independent, sell your exclusives, let the big guys fight it out for a 119$ cd player, i think they will hurt themselves the most, but they will all survive, there is just too much a properly ran independant can offer over a large store, service and experience being biggest advantage, i know in my store we have had virtually the same staff for 4 years, few large stores can say that, but i think the big stores give great awarness to car audio through their relentless advertising that a small store just cant compete with, i tell you, im glad that i am within 500 meters of a future shop and within a 5 minute drive of a visions and a&b, i couldnt be any better situated, in the end the consumers will shop the wame way they always have and things will not change

sorry, thats bby #6 in western canada

oops, my bad. 2nd one I guess...

Nope not 2nd, number 6. Unless you just consider B.C. as western Canada.

I agree with Dave I don't think it will hurt any well run shops.

That's what I would hope. It is a very well run, clean machine that they have over there, and it has to impact someone. And I also agree with Dave, I personally wouldn't want to scrap it out over a $119 cd player every day...
I guess the 'not so well run' stores had better identify that and adapt.

I have not been hurt by them showing up in Edmonton. I am up over previous years when they were not around. If any thing they have made me more busy.


I belive A&B was hit the harderst in Western Canada due to software.


I think as far as car audio goes they dont really even play a factor.

that's good to hear. It's no small thing to be up over past years these days...good work!

Word of mouth is unbelievably powerful, as is talk on the internet. I agree that well run independents should have no concerns. Like they say, the chrome show isn't everything.