CC really needs to license Eminem’s “Without Me” for their eventual commercials and corporate parties. Alan Wolf writes:

 New York area retail vets Ronny Shmoel and Albert Liniado are betting that the third time will be a charm for Circuit City. 

Because big box retail is the way to go, right? That’s the future?

This time, what Circuit City has in store is an ambitious, multi-tiered game plan that calls for retail outlets, web sales, branded and private-label products, licensed kiosks, mobile shops and franchise opportunities, all under the iconic red-and-white banner.

The fun is expected to begin in June when the company opens its first store, most likely in the Dallas market, and relaunches CircuitCity.com.

Think Best Buy meets Radio Shack with some Apple Store DNA.

The stores themselves will range from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet, and will feature product zones that present the assortment by category and brand. Targeted directly at millennials, the mix will include pre- and postpaid smartphones, as well as tablets, notebooks, wearables, networking equipment, gaming products, headphones, drones, 3D printers, health appliances, and DIY devices, all supplemented by a service desk, electronic price tags and touchscreen terminals that link customers with what is envisioned as a million-SKU selection online.

But there is a Sony twist here as well. More after the jump.

 He also has the endorsement of major brands including Intel, Sony and Canon, many of whom he huddled with during the recent CES. 

Many moons ago, I used to work at Circuit City and remember that even then, Sony was heavily offered in CC stores. From VAIO computers, to their then XBR2 and Trinitron branded HD tube TVs, and of course Cybershot cameras, Sony products were always shown in full force. Seeing how Best Buy stores are basically show floors now for a few select companies with more dazzling displays than Sony, it will be interesting to see if Sony can have better success with these stores since they’ll likely be part of them from day one.

Seeing how Sony has very little brand awareness in the US outside of PlayStation, a move like this could go a long ways towards helping the brand gain some kind of foothold in the US. However, even towards its end in the US, Circuit City was never known for being a premium retailer. Not that Best Buy is, but they do offer an extensive range of products and have Magnolia stores (more high-end) in quite a few of their locations. Seeing how Sony wants to focus on being more premium, I’m not entirely sure the two from the outset seem to mix.

Discuss:

Do you see this being a promising avenue for Sony?

[Via Twice]