Sony Retail Footprint Expands With Three Store Re-Openings and New Gallery Experience

SAN DIEGO, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics is starting its retail expansion with a splash, opening the doors to three newly remodeled Sony Stores and several brand new Sony Gallery experiences in just a few short months.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130415/LA94432)

Following the success of the most recently redesigned Sony Store in the Simon Mall Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, the three new concept stores located in Miami, San Diego and Orlando will re-open with the same fresh, modern, and immersive experience that has become the hallmark of the Sony retail store shopping experience. The remodels will bring the total of U.S. redesigned stores to eight.

Sony's innovative retail expansion plans also include free-standing "Sony Galleries," a curated assortment of Sony's best products in a smaller store footprint. The first Sony Gallery opened this week at the Westfield UTC Mall in San Diego, and is located in the central court near Tiffany's. Two more Sony Galleries will open in New Jersey and San Francisco next month, and additional locations are being planned in shopping centers across the country.

The Sony Gallery at UTC is the predecessor to another new Sony retail store concept that will open this fall, a "boutique" in size and style with the best TVs, cameras, computers and audio products and services Sony has on the market.

"We're creating a new way to shop for consumer electronics," said Mike Fasulo, executive vice president of sales operations for Sony Electronics. "People expect the best from Sony, and we want to exceed their expectations by providing a personal, memorable shopping experience to all of our guests, that keeps them and their families coming back again and again."

"The Sony retail store goal is to be the best, the easiest, and the most fun place to shop for Sony products," said Brian Sheehan, senior vice president of Sony Direct. "We've got passionate Sony fans ready and waiting to help our guests find that perfect product or solution that only Sony can provide."

Personalized Services, Customized Solutions

Rated #1 by Laptop, Tech Media magazine for Tech Support (2012), Sony Stores continue to offer Premium Services that provide guests with exceptional support for their Sony products. From installation to product personalization, Sony's exclusive service offerings include product set-up assistance and training by Sony experts, activation of wireless services, and technical PC and IT support by certified technicians. In-home consultations, delivery, and TV and home audio and video installation by authorized technicians are also provided.

About the Re-designed Sony Stores

The newly redesigned Sony stores feature a wide-open store front, providing shoppers an unobstructed view into the world of Sony. Inside, Sony fans will be able to experience all things Sony.  From Sony music artists playing over the speakers to Sony Pictures movies playing on the immersive 4K televisions, the full breadth of Sony's assets can be enjoyed in one great place.

The new design was developed with a focus on the guest experience, and features a light, bright, and flexible store layout that makes it easy for people to test and try their favorite Sony products. The innovative interior walls are moveable and changeable, allowing new color schemes to be reconfigured to highlight specific products, services, or content.

The three Sony Stores being remodeled will re-open in the new design over the course of the next few months, including: 

• Aventura Mall (Aventura, FL) – April 23
• Fashion Valley Mall (San Diego, Calif.) – May 18
• The Mall at Millenia (Orlando, FL) – July 2013

About Sony Stores

Sony Stores are a unique destination where consumers can explore, discover and compare the best of Sony in one place, from electronics products to popular music, the latest movies and thrilling games. Sony's goal is always to exceed guest expectations with knowledgeable and engaging Sony experts who help provide an exciting, interactive and entertaining shopping experience. Services include product set-up to service and repair facilitation for all Sony products, activation of wireless services, and technical PC and IT support by certified technicians. There are 38 Sony Store locations nationwide. A directory can be found by visiting http://store.sony.com/storelocator.

About Sony Electronics

Headquartered in San Diego, Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony is noted for a wide range of consumer audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA® LCD 4K, 3D and high-definition televisions, Cyber-shot® digital camera, Alpha Digital SLR camera, Handycam® camcorder and Walkman® personal stereo. Sony is also an innovator in the IT arena with its VAIO® personal computers Reader devices and Sony Tablets; and in high-definition professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD and CineAlta™ lines of cameras and camcorders, and the SXRD™ 4K digital projector. For more information, visit www.sony.com/news or join the Sony Community: www.sony.com/blog; www.facebook.com/SonyElectronics; www.twitter.com/SonyElectronics; www.youtube.com/SonyElectronics; and www.pinterest.com/SonyElectronics.

SOURCE Sony Electronics