Retail store Best Buy carries a lot of weight with consumers, and the majority of consumers would engage with Best Buy—in store or online— when shopping for a smart home device, a research by Parks Associates found.
Retail store Best Buy carries a lot of weight with consumers, and the majority of consumers would engage with Best Buy—in store or online— when shopping for a smart home device, a research by Parks Associates found.
The majority of the surveyed are also likely to ask on-site smart home installation experts for advice about the best products and systems for their home.
Partnering with Best Buy has a lot of upside for smart home players. Up to 64% of consumers would be more likely to use a smart home system installation service if it is recommended by Best Buy.
The majority of consumers would also be more likely to use a home security monitoring service if it is recommended by Best Buy. These rates are even higher among consumers under the age of 34 and those with annual household incomes of $75,000 or greater.
Notably, smart home device owners are much more likely than non-owners to seek on-site expert advice at Best Buy. This indicates that the educational need does not end with the first purchase of a smart home device. Instead, it opens consumers’ eyes to the possibilities and complexities of the space.
Those already owning a smart home device are also more likely than non-owners to look for Best Buy or its partners for ongoing technical support help.
Consumers new to the smart home market need assistance and are open to consultative selling that provides insight into the value provided for the household’s specific needs. Given the variety of standards and custom needs of each household, expert sales advice is welcome by many consumers, Parks Associates says.
Best Buy’s partnership with Vivint attempts to fill that role. Vivint Smart Home experts can give personalized advice in-store and even perform custom in-home evaluations to assure customers that they are buying the right products for their needs. However, the extent to which the initiative can drive sales remains to be seen.