Fifth Sony Style Concept Store Opens

Sony Electronics today opened its fifth Sony Style concept store at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif.

Sony’s new concept stores invite consumers to “test drive” a variety of Sony devices, while offering hands-on personal service.

“Consumers will experience our products, technology and entertainment first hand in a high-class, consumer-centric environment,” said Mike Fasulo, president of Sony Electronics’ eSolutions Company. “And to continue to enhance our brand, we will open additional concept stores across the country over the next year.”

At about 6,000 square feet, the Palo Alto Sony Style store features multiple demonstration areas, including a digital imaging gallery with a complete range of digital still cameras, camcorders and photo printers.

The store also showcases all of Sony’s entertainment properties, including the latest PlayStation 2 hardware and games, as well as DVD movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment and the latest CDs from Sony Music Entertainment. The Palo Alto store will be the first to feature an entertainment zone with different themes throughout the year, beginning with Spiderman II, followed by Columbia Pictures Classic movies, and then Game Show Network programming.

Sony Style shoppers can experience personal attention from two concierge desks situated at both store entrances, a consultation booth, Wi-Fi wireless Internet access, online product information at the touch of a button through SonyStyle.com, custom installation support, and personalized in-home delivery service.

“Before shoppers make their consumer electronics purchases, whether it is at a Sony Style concept store or at a retail chain,” said Fasulo, “our stores allow them to imagine how the products will fit into their lives.”

Sony’s decision to open the Palo Alto store confirms the success of previous store openings.

“The positive response from consumers is growing,” Fasulo said. “For example, in the two days following the opening of Sony Style in Houston, the store had more than 10,000 visitors.”

The Palo Alto store is the fifth Sony Style concept store situated in a suburban location. Other store locations include the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif., Beverly Center in Los Angeles, Copley Place in Boston and the Houston Galleria in Houston. Sony also has two flagship stores in urban centers in New York and the Metreon in San Francisco.