CompUSA opens 2nd P.R. store in Ponce
Systemax only kept the CompUSA store in Caparra when it entered the market in 2008. (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
CompUSA announced Wednesday the opening of a new store at the Plaza Del Caribe mall in Ponce, its second location on the island, creating 50 new jobs.
The 25,000 square foot store, which is already open for business, fully integrates CompUSA’s “Retail 2.0” shopping experience, “which combines the best of bricks and mortar and online shopping.” The associated investment to open the store was not disclosed.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Apr. 27, company officials said.
“We are thrilled to expand the CompUSA footprint in Puerto Rico,” said David Sprosty, chief executive of the North America technology products group at Systemax Inc., parent company of CompUSA. “We are extremely pleased to offer consumers throughout the area our vast selection of laptop computers, desktop computers, HDTVs and other electronics all at great prices.”
This is the first time that Systemax has opened a new location since entering the market in 2008 after purchasing the CompUSA brand, trademarks and e-commerce business. When it made its debut, it closed former CompUSA locations in Carolina and Bayamón, keeping only the Caparra store open for business.
News is my Business asked Systemax representatives Wednesday whether there were plans for more stores on the island, to which they responded that they do not “share future opening plans.”
Retail 2.0 concept
The Ponce store is “Retail 2.0”-enabled, which allows shoppers to access information about store products and services through the Internet, which is set up on every screen throughout the store, from laptops to desktops to HDTVs.
“With one mouse click, consumers can access a plethora of product information, including specs, product manuals, customer reviews, price comparisons, compatible products and accessories available in-store, photos and even videos,” according to a company statement released Wednesday.
The Ponce location also features an all-new “Retail 2.0” sales assistant called “Sara” to help shoppers select the proper television through a series of simple questions regarding viewing habits. Customers can obtain educational information as well as learn about companion items to consider and the services available from CompUSA.
The Ponce store, along with all 35 other CompUSA and TigerDirect retail locations across the US and Puerto Rico, will have special offers as part of a chain- wide “Grand Opening” sale in celebration of the newest addition, from Apr. 26-29.
