Bucking the trend
The final part of our exclusive TV interview with Elan Raja, director of operations at Bolton etailer SCAN, we discuss why SCAN is increasing its bricks-and-mortar retail presence when the market seems to be moving in the other direction.
Raja begins by telling us about the philosophy behind the store, which is to give visitors an instant guide to the “latest and greatest” in PC technology. To do so SCAN has partnered with what it considers to be the best makers of each of the key components of a PC and given them a display within the store.
He thinks that the option of being able to look and feel as well as the possibility of a bit of techie banter are among the things that draw people in, as well as the chance to get hold of their lovely new technology immediately, of course.
Retail is a surprisingly big part of SCAN’s business – in his earlier presentation Raja revealed that it accounts for around a fifth of the overall turnover of £52 million last year – and it looks like one of the reasons it’s viable when so many other PC retailers have been struggling is the fact that it’s part of the HQ and thus has all the stock and infrastructure next door.
Raja insists that taking an educational approach to the products is key to making the retail side of things work and that is where those retailers that are struggling have failed. When asked if we can expect to see more SCAN stores opening, Raja simply said “watch this space.”
Elan Raja TV interview, part 3
Elan Raja TV interview, part 2
Elan Raja TV interview, part 1
Related reading:
SCAN director discusses new store and NVIDIA price cuts
Scan.co.uk expands its Bolton store with huge new retail section
Scan.co.uk launches refined website
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