Bell to acquire The Source retail chain - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

hugh · 2009-03-02, 04:13 PM

Bell today announced it has agreed to acquire national consumer electronics retailer The Source to further enhance the growth of Bell's wireless, digital TV, Internet and home phone services.

In addition to its lineup of consumer electronics products, The Source plans to carry the full array of Bell consumer services at its more than 750 stores across Canada, including Bell Mobility, Solo Mobile and potentially Virgin Mobile wireless products and services, Bell TV's High Definition television services, high-speed Bell Internet, and Bell Home Phone products, by January 2010.

Cyclism · 2009-03-02, 04:31 PM

Wow. That effectively locks out Rogers (and other competitors) from a major retail chain that once exclusively sold their wireless products.

I wonder what Bell is going to do with The Source stores in certain locations (malls) that already have a Bell Store?

bgclarke · 2009-03-02, 04:46 PM

That's an odd acquisition considering that most Source stores are in malls that already have dedicated Bell stores or kiosks.

Arthur Dent · 2009-03-02, 05:43 PM

I wonder if this spells the end of what was left of "Radio Shack" in Canada.

nicohockey9 · 2009-03-02, 05:44 PM

Might they not lock competition out of the store? maybe they are just saying they are going to add there full product lineup to the store and sell products from Rogers and telus already in there stores now?

xraycat · 2009-03-02, 06:23 PM

That is completely crazy. Reading other articles I found this:

Quote:

Other than the eventual exclusion of Rogers products, Bell plans to keep all other product lines on at the chain.

rpokane · 2009-03-02, 06:33 PM

I hope they keep the parts section of the store!
What's next? Rogers or Shaw buys FutureShop???

i hate tv · 2009-03-02, 06:55 PM

From personal experiences, BellWorld stores have been less than helpful for our family...
Knowledge of their products was usually less than stellar, especially with BellTv, and the wait times were usually at least 5 minutes...(I know 5 minutes doesn't sound like a long time, but...)
Maybe some "competition" will force them to try and focus more on customer service...

electricguy · 2009-03-02, 06:59 PM

Well I assume the salespersons would be pushing Bell and not Star Choice

hugh · 2009-03-02, 07:03 PM

I suspect the source will continue to sell competing company's products if they wish to stay in business but you will now see the full line of Bell products.

I suspect this has something to do with Best Buy having a virtually monopoly on Consumer electronics in this country. Without a competitive marketplace, Bell must feel that they have to "secure" distribution by buying the Source.

HT gearhead · 2009-03-02, 07:42 PM

Ya right, Star Choice will be the first thing to disappear from the store.
You wait and see.

Paolo · 2009-03-02, 08:09 PM

Wow, thats so krezi. The Source CC from hereon im now calling The Source BCE.

Thats Krezi, now that means one of the biggest rogers wireless authorized stores will be owned by Bell, lol krezi krezi, someones a fawzi

alebowgm · 2009-03-02, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

I wonder if this spells the end of what was left of "Radio Shack" in Canada.

Radio Shack in Canada has long been dead before this...

LONSat · 2009-03-02, 08:29 PM

I give it a year, 18 months tops and what's left of the former Radio Shack chain ie the Source will be gone - shuttered.

Sirius Guy · 2009-03-02, 08:48 PM

Does anyone actually shop at the Source anymore?
Their accessory prices are retarded compared to the big box stores.
SC remotes they sell for $60.00, etc etc etc....

This coming from a guy who had a Radio Shack ASC dealer franchise for over 10 yrs..

2009-03-02, 04:13 PM	#1
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Bell to acquire The Source retail chain Bell today announced it has agreed to acquire national consumer electronics retailer The Source to further enhance the growth of Bell's wireless, digital TV, Internet and home phone services. In addition to its lineup of consumer electronics products, The Source plans to carry the full array of Bell consumer services at its more than 750 stores across Canada, including Bell Mobility, Solo Mobile and potentially Virgin Mobile wireless products and services, Bell TV's High Definition television services, high-speed Bell Internet, and Bell Home Phone products, by January 2010. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2009-03-02, 07:03 PM	#10
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	I suspect the source will continue to sell competing company's products if they wish to stay in business but you will now see the full line of Bell products. I suspect this has something to do with Best Buy having a virtually monopoly on Consumer electronics in this country. Without a competitive marketplace, Bell must feel that they have to "secure" distribution by buying the Source. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2009-03-02, 08:29 PM	#14
LONSat Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 486	I give it a year, 18 months tops and what's left of the former Radio Shack chain ie the Source will be gone - shuttered. __________________ Living in the land of the mayor that won't do the right thing.

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2009-03-02, 04:31 PM	#2
Cyclism Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver - OTA, Pioneer KURO Elite Signature PRO-141FD, 27" iMac, WDTV Live. Posts: 2,779	Wow. That effectively locks out Rogers (and other competitors) from a major retail chain that once exclusively sold their wireless products. I wonder what Bell is going to do with The Source stores in certain locations (malls) that already have a Bell Store?

2009-03-02, 04:46 PM	#3
bgclarke Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nepean, Ontario Posts: 1,606	That's an odd acquisition considering that most Source stores are in malls that already have dedicated Bell stores or kiosks.

2009-03-02, 05:43 PM	#4
Arthur Dent Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 2,727	I wonder if this spells the end of what was left of "Radio Shack" in Canada.

2009-03-02, 05:44 PM	#5
nicohockey9 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 574	Might they not lock competition out of the store? maybe they are just saying they are going to add there full product lineup to the store and sell products from Rogers and telus already in there stores now?

2009-03-02, 06:33 PM	#7
rpokane Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bay of Fundy Posts: 305	I hope they keep the parts section of the store! What's next? Rogers or Shaw buys FutureShop???

2009-03-02, 06:55 PM	#8
i hate tv Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,317	From personal experiences, BellWorld stores have been less than helpful for our family... Knowledge of their products was usually less than stellar, especially with BellTv, and the wait times were usually at least 5 minutes...(I know 5 minutes doesn't sound like a long time, but...) Maybe some "competition" will force them to try and focus more on customer service...

2009-03-02, 06:59 PM	#9
electricguy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kamloops B.C. Posts: 187	Well I assume the salespersons would be pushing Bell and not Star Choice

2009-03-02, 07:42 PM	#11
HT gearhead Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,307	Ya right, Star Choice will be the first thing to disappear from the store. You wait and see.

2009-03-02, 08:09 PM	#12
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,695	Wow, thats so krezi. The Source CC from hereon im now calling The Source BCE. Thats Krezi, now that means one of the biggest rogers wireless authorized stores will be owned by Bell, lol krezi krezi, someones a fawzi

2009-03-02, 08:48 PM	#15
Sirius Guy Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 638	Does anyone actually shop at the Source anymore? Their accessory prices are retarded compared to the big box stores. SC remotes they sell for $60.00, etc etc etc.... This coming from a guy who had a Radio Shack ASC dealer franchise for over 10 yrs..