2009.05.23
Wal-Mart's electronics push
Wal-Mart's electronics departments across the country, including the stores in this region, are getting a facelift. Have you noticed the changes?
By next week, you'll begin to see a wider assortment of Blu-ray movies and players, including a sound and sight area focused on high definition, inside these stores. Also, there will be more variety in HD televisions, and a 30 percent increase in wireless products and accessories, along with a remodel of the Wireless World areas. Stores also will have a separate laptop computer area.
This redesign appears to already have begun at the Wal-Mart near Valley View Mall in Roanoke. The aisles are wider, there are additional televisions lining the back wall, and bright blue signs throughout the department are larger and eye catching.
Though Wal-Mart likely has several reasons for revamping its electronics offerings and presentation, a recent story in the Wall Street Journal speculates that this giant discount retail chain is trying to make up where Circuit City left off and put itself in a strong position to compete with Best Buy.
Circuit City closed its stores nationwide in March.
If you're in an area Wal-Mart this weekend or next week, let me know what you think of the electronics revamping efforts.
Here are some of the new items coming to Wal-Mart's jazzed-up electronics mix, according to a news release from the retailer:
--Dell's Studio One 19 All-in-one touch screen desktop, arriving in June.
--New protectors for mobile and music items, such as the Body Glove, which protects a touch screen phone.
--Colorful 11-inch Acer netbooks ($298)
--Sony's E-Reader E-book, available in 500 stores
Could this be the beginning of the end for Walmart. Anytime places start leaving the basics that mad them, it is usually the start of their downfall. Ie Woolco, Arlens, Brendles, Superx And the many more that have disappeared. All were giants at one time but when forgetting the business that had made them the were soon gone to the dust.
Comment by MID AL ESQUIRE — May 24, 2009 @ 9:27 am
In my dealings with my local Wal-Mart"s electronics department I have found that YES they do offer about the best selection around, But They NEVER have anyone there that can explain anything about what you are shopping for. For the real "expert" advice I go to my local Radio Shack where at least I know that I will find a sales person who knows what a blue ray player is, why I need it over a standard dvd player and most important of all will sell me everything to hook it up! Cheap electronics are one thing but factor in the half dozen trips BACK to wal mart to get cables,power strips, and other items you wil need and suddenly that great price on your new TV is not such a great price. I think they have a way to go!!
Comment by tim chrisman — May 25, 2009 @ 9:00 am
I'll usually shop around and look for the best quality products from a place like Best Buy, the expertise at a place like Radio Shack, and price at Wal-Mart. Most often, I wind up buying at Wal-Mart just because price is usually my limiting factor on electronics purchases. I do like RS though, because they know what they're talking about and have been a big help in repairing things in the past, so I continue to frequent them. BB has the best selection in our area by far, but their prices are higher and the help is about as useful as WM most times. I've even had a few downright negative shopping experiences there, but can't say as I've ever really had a negative WM experience...just sort of neutral there...nothing really bad, but nothing really good either. I did find, at least a few years back, that one of WM's big selling tools for cheap electronics was to sell a slightly older model of something, so they could undercut the price of competitors for similar items. It wasn;t the exact same item, but close enough. I discovered this after buying a 'new' stereo, only to find that it was a model from a year earlier when I went to the manufacturers website. I wasn't bothered by it since it was a good stereo at a great price, but that's when I learned how they can do it. I don;t know if they still do that today, their flat panels look like current models, but that's one trick they used.
Comment by Other John — May 26, 2009 @ 8:17 am
I second that about the part where there's no one there to help. I've gone several times wanting to buy something that was locked and had to hunt down someone, and then when they came to help there was a long line so I had to wait while the person helped everyone else.
Comment by Dana — May 26, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Amazing to me that people want expertise and go to the likes of Radio Shack? Has anyone ever checked out Audiotronics? That is what I call expertise. As a person who doesn't understand a great deal about electronics I can go in there and they are EXTREMELY knowledgeable, patient and understanding. They get an idea of what you are looking for and where it will be put and the size of the room and DO NOT oversell. We have been dealing with them for 20 years and find the prices are competitive with the discount places. Why anyone would go to the likes of Best Buy with their reputation is beyond me. One of the few stores in Roanoke that understand CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Comment by Diane — May 28, 2009 @ 8:08 am
For those of us not in Roanoke, RS is what we've got. But, I've heard a lot of good things about Audiotronics, it's just not convenient to drive down to Roanoke for most things. Maybe they could expand up to the NRV, I think Scotty's might be their only real competition if they're as good as everyone says.
Comment by Other John — May 28, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Another option to Audiotronics when it comes to expertise is Lee Hartman and Sons. They are great with video and audio systems.
Comment by Justafan — May 28, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
well, just aswell cheap buy uk stock really cheap electronics products. Make me looking foward to xmas already
Comment by barrackudahays — August 2, 2009 @ 11:48 am