Several big brand vendors are looking to launch retail stores in Australia this year according to sources. It has also emerged that a major property group who operate shopping malls has looked at the concept of leasing out space to consumer electronic vendors for demonstration stores.Currently several brands including Sony, Samsung and Apple operate their own retail networks with all of these brands set to add additional stores to their networks this year. Currently the Sony stores are operated via retail partners; however, speculation is mounting that Sony will move to operate their own retail stores in the future.
One major brand told SmartHouse that it was becoming “logical” for a vendor to operate their own stores in Australia.
“We can train our own staff to exclusively sell our products while at the same develop social network marketing programs that motivate consumers to visit our stores. It is becoming logical for a big brand to have their own store it has been happening overseas for several years,” the executive said.
Among the brands that are tipped to open stores in Australia are Microsoft, LG and Pnasonic.
