Calgary retailer enjoys strong growth selling brand name electronics at discount prices
A Calgary company has found success in the marketplace by selling name-brand electronic products at major discounts.
Openbox Calgary owner Imad Hasna had operated the electronics store specializing in open-box products and service since 2005, but by 2016 the company was facing challenging times.
The economic downturn in Alberta and the rise of online shopping led to electronics stores closing all over the province, says Hasna, so he either had to adapt his company to the times or shut it down.
“Amazon was shutting retailers down one at a time, so we came up with the concept to give the customer a reason to come into the store and spend some money,” says Hasna, explaining that he refocused his store to sell a wider range of openbox products — electronics in like-new condition that are sold at discounts of up to 50 per cent off the big box retailer price.
The products included laptops, desktop computers, tablets, cellphones, TVS, vacuums and other small appliances, including top brand names such as Apple, Samsung, Cuisinart and a full range of Dyson products.
With the expanded line of products also came the realization that one store couldn’t cover the entire city, so he expanded and opened three more Openbox locations, giving him stores in Sunridge, on Macleod Trail, Aspen and on 16th Avenue Northwest.
One thing that didn’t change during the company’s transition was Hasna’s business philosophy of providing the best customer service possible to set the company apart from the competition.
“We need to make sure that not only are we offering the best prices, but we are also offering the best customer experience, to distinguish ourselves from the Amazons and the big box stores that are our competitors.”
Staff members are customer service representatives who live and breathe the electronics industry, so they have the knowledge to help find the product that’s right for each individual customer.
“Our main focus is really helping to guide customers through the purchase of their electronics.”
Trying to save money online isn’t worth it if the product doesn’t end up meeting your needs, he says.
The staff at Openbox know the success of each store depends on their efforts, “so we really need to provide the best experience possible for our customers, and give them a reason to shop with us instead of going online.”
In addition to the focus on the purchasing experience, Openbox has a service department in each store, with a certified technician who can look after repairs and the servicing of laptops, cellphones and tablets.
The success of Openbox Calgary showed the time was right for a store that can offer name-brand products at big discounts, combined with strong customer service, Hasna says.
“A lot of times people feel that if you’re going to get that level of service you’re going to have to compromise on the prices. Or if you’re going to get a better price, you’re going to have to compromise on the quality of the service. We’re trying to offer it all — without any compromise.”
As for expansion and future locations, all Hasna has to say is, “Watch us grow!”
Visit Open Box stores at Macleod Trail (103 – 7004 Macleod Trail S.E.), Sunridge (319 – 2555 32nd St. N.E.), 16th Avenue (1704 12th St. N.W.) and Aspen (2124 – 10 Aspen Stone Blvd. S.W., or go to Openbox.ca.
THIS STORY WAS CREATED BY CONTENT WORKS, POSTMEDIA’S COMMERCIAL CONTENT DIVISION, ON BEHALF OF OPENBOX CALGARY.