Best Buy UK To Launch Exclusively With Affiliate Window
Posted under: With the run in to Christmas sales on it’s way there’s some exciting news for affiliates from Affiliate Window – the exclusive launch of Best Buy UK, a leading consumer electronics retailer, on their network. With product feeds being promised this could prove to be a popular new merchant on many sites during the festive period.
One interesting element of this launch is how will rival merchants take it!
The consumer electronics sector is notorious for messing about with commission levels and even Amazon, for example, have limited what can and can’t be earnt on select items. If Best Buy get their numbers right they could not only be taking away customers and sales from the competitors but also some of their top affiliates too.
If feeds are in place alongside top notch Christmas creative and offers then this could be a top program for the season and the New Year Sales. With VAT due to rise in early January 2011 there may well be a flurry of purchases to save on high ticket items too.
Here’s the official announcement from Affiliate Window.
Following on from the successful opening of Best Buy stores around the UK in Thurrock in Essex, Hedge End near Southampton and Merry Hill in West Midlands earlier this year, the popularity of Best Buy’s website and the reach of the Affiliate Window network “will combine to establish the Best Buy site as the designated destination for consumers wishing to take advantage of the very latest and greatest technology, services and content as well as inspiration and impartial advice – and competitive value”.
Best Buy UK’s affiliate marketing campaign will kick off this Autumn and “will be an integral component to the success of their new transactional website which launches simultaneously”. The site will include innovative elements such as ‘My Best Buy’, the company’s customer retention and rewards programme and a consumer forum, as well as comprehensive advice for those seeking knowledge and inspiration.
deVere Forster, MD Online for Best Buy UK added: “We’ll be working closely with Affiliate Window and the broader publisher community to ensure that the launch of our transactional website in the Autumn builds on our already established and ground-breaking presence online, and provides our customers with another way to shop with us.”
Mark Walters, Managing Director for Affiliate Window said: “Best Buy UK has a progressive outlook towards affiliates and I’m confident we will see the company using relationships and tools in equal measure to maximise opportunities for all parties.”
It most certainly sounds like one to watch!
The main concern is that Best Buy currently don’t have an online transactional site, so only time will tell just how affiliate friendly the site is! Of course they may offer low commission rates too but here’s hoping that they do come in with a competitive deal for all.
Another concern is that some affiliates don’t like to risk things too much at Christmas. A known merchant, who’s been doing sales over the past 12 months, is often preferred over a new rival. Best Buy UK will need to work quickly to convince apathetic affiliates that they are worth the promotion time.
The program is due for launch in the Autumn.