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Understanding Tech Issues with Reliable Vision of Innovation

by Jerry Liao, Philippines

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Concept stores seem to be the order of the day for tech companies

Sep 7, 2009 20:40

Establishing concept stores seems to be the order of the day for most IT companies here in the Philippines. Just for the year 2009, more than 10 companies have opened their own concept stores in major malls in Metro Manila. Some of the companies are LG Electronics, Acer, Toshiba, Canon, Brother, Asus, HTC, Dell, Sony, Logitech, Lenovo, Genius, and more.

When asked why they needed to have their own concept store, the reply was that they required having a presence since most of their competitors already have a concept store. The second reason was to allow their customers to try out their latest wares, so they can decide if they like the products enough to buy. The third was for better service.

Having a concept store is cool. My only problem is that most of them are located inside a mall; a mall where most of their retailers are based as well. Which means most, if not all, products that a customer will see inside the concept store are also retailing at the retail stores.

The advantage of the concept store is so consumers can try out the products which they cannot do so at the retail shop since most of them are still sealed. But the retail shop is offering the same product at a much lesser price.

I was surprised to discover this when I visited a concept store of one company and then went to a retail store nearby and was surprised to see the same product there. I compared the price for both and found the retail store much cheaper. Perhaps it is one way the principal is protecting its retailers.

To me, the more concept stores set up here in the Philippines, the better. That means these companies have a lot of confidence in the Philippine economy. Good business for the companies, a better future for the Philippines.

God bless us all!

Here are some of the concept stores:

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About Jerry Liao

Jerry Liao is an IT consultant in the Philippines who conducts seminars on various tech topics. He is a regular columnist of Manila Bulletin, a member of the academe, a system developer and a system analyst. He is a frequent fixture in press conferences and tech launchings, most of which are posted at infochat.com.ph. He loves to tinker with the latest gadgets and gizmos, but his most cherish possession are his children.