Samsung Canada Plans a Retail Store: Report on Store Concept
Archive note. This story reflects what was known when it was first covered. Prices, availability and carrier offers are historical. For the current picture, start with the topic guides.
What was reported
Samsung Canada intended to open its first standalone shop and expand the shop-in-shop concept, where a brand runs its own section inside another retailer. Plans for the location were still being worked out. Early guesses pointed to a mall in Toronto.
What Samsung said
The president of Samsung Canada said the company wanted people to experience the brand in a way they had not before and to see everything Samsung could offer them. The goal was to raise that experience beyond what a regular shelf display offers.
Why it mattered
The author read the plan as a test. If Canadians supported a Samsung store, more locations could slowly follow in other areas, though that would likely be a lengthy process. The idea was a one-stop shop where a shopper could walk out with an unlocked Galaxy S III. The author felt this could put pressure on Apple, whose phones were then the main rival.
Context at the time
Android had been gaining popularity over the years, and large Super AMOLED screens were part of the draw. The original post took a playful tone about Apple users switching.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the Samsung store expected to open?
Nothing was decided. Early guesses suggested Yorkdale Mall in Toronto.
What is a store-within-a-store?
A branded section run by one company inside another retailer's shop.
Did the plan go ahead?
This report covers only the plan. It does not say what happened afterwards.