News

The kiosk future is now at Future Shop

February 18, 2002

BURNABY, British Columbia, Canada - Electronic retailer Future Shop Ltd., acting on the belief that consumers are more computer-savvy than ever, is giving them the chance to act out their own computer-design fantasies.

And the Canadian subsidiary of Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is using a kiosk system to make it happen.

Future Shop on Jan. 9 officially launched the Cicero Computer Creation Station kiosks in its 95 locations across Canada. The kiosk links to Future Shop's Internet site and allows customers to choose from basic computer configurations designed for the home and office. Once they have chosen a system, they can select from a series of components, upgrades, and peripherals.

Once the order is ready, customers print it out and pay for it at the store. The computer is then shipped to the customer within seven-to-14 days of purchase.

"The Cicero Computer Creation Station offers Canadian consumers the flexibility to design and create a computer that meets their exact needs and specifications," Rick Lotman, Future Shop vice president of marketing, said in a news release.