Walmart Pilots Tech Service Program Similar to Geek Squad
Walmart is testing electronic tech services through a partnership with True Network Solutions. The retailer is testing the service in four stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as one near its headquarters in Arkansas. The tech services desk looks similar to a Geek Squad counter at competitor Best Buy. Walmart hasn't made an announcement about the effort. However, the Elm Springs, Ark. store did have a recent post on social media about the new tech services desk, and Talk Business & Politics confirmed the test with store employees.
Total Retail's Take: Walmart, like many other store-centric retail organizations, is looking for ways to bring reluctant consumers back into its locations. To accomplish that, Walmart is testing tech services in select stores, closely following the model established by Best Buy with its Geek Squad program. And for good reason. Services accounted for 5 percent of Best Buy’s total revenue last year. With U.S. revenue of $39.3 billion, services totaled more than $1.975 billion. More importantly, the segment grew comparable sales by 7 percent year-over-year, while boosting overall comp sales. Walmart is already selling many consumer electronic products in its stores (and online), and therefore it seems a natural transition to begin selling repair services for those very items. After this initial pilot, which coincides with the busy holiday shopping season, I would expect we will see more Walmart store locations offering tech services.
