Verizon and AT&T opening experience shops within Best Buy stores

Best Buy seems to be all about that store-within-store model the past years. The popular tech retailer already has experience shops for Apple, Samsung and Microsoft in place, and now it seems like a couple new companies are about to join the fun. These are a bit different, though, as they are not really manufacturers – the 2 new partners are wireless carriers.

Verizon and AT&T just announced they will be putting together their very own experience stores within 250 Best Buy locations across the USA. This will all be done before the end of the year, and Verizon states 100 of these locations will be ready by the end of this month (September).

But why would Verizon and AT&T want something like this? Don’t they already have their own little section at the wireless services section? Yes, they do, but both companies have more focused plans for this new business opportunity. Sure, they will promote their brand and try to sell their own smartphone services too, but the goal is to try to show customers how they can improve their connected lifestyles.

These larger carriers have expanded their business to become smart device power houses, hence the reason why Verizon now has its “Destination Stores”, full of nifty gadgets that go way beyond the smartphone and tablet realm. Walk into any of their stores and you will find smart home products, wearables, IoT devices and more. This is what Verizon and AT&T are aiming to showcase at their new dedicated areas within Best Buy stores. And they are very clear about their intentions here.

“The Verizon Experience in Best Buy is geared to showcase connected lifestyles – such as wearable tech, computing on the go and connected home – and the devices and plans that make these lifestyles a reality. Just like in our own Destination and Smart stores, the specialists in the Verizon Experience stores at Best Buy are trained in a hands-on environment so they can provide real-world examples to customers when talking about our new simplified plans and devices.” -John Colaiuti, vice president of national distribution at Verizon Wireless

“By the end of 2015, 250 Best Buy locations across the country will have a new AT&T space to further help customers personalize their connected experience – and AT&T will be front and center of this exciting time.” – Andy Shibley, senior vice president of national retail at AT&T Mobile

Get ready for some fun time with Verizon and AT&T at your local Best Buy stores! It’s only a matter of time before these start popping up.