EE has unveiled its second Experience store in Manchester, located at 33 Market Street. This new addition comes in response to popular demand from the city’s tech-savvy residents. Following the successful launch of the first Experience store in Manchester’s Trafford Centre, which saw a 25% boost in footfall compared to previous stores in the area, Manchester is now the first city to host two of these innovative store formats as part of EE’s £6 million investment in brick-and-mortar retail this year.
According to new research from EE, residents of Manchester own more smart devices, such as smartphones, watches, and even fridges, than those in any other major UK city. The average household in or near Manchester has five smart devices, compared to the national average of four.
The new EE Experience store on Market Street has been specifically designed to guide visitors through the latest innovations across four key areas: game, work, learn, and home. The store features dedicated Experience Zones and a Tech Home area.
The experience zones include:
- Welcome Zone: A dynamic shopfront with a digital window canvas showcasing the latest product launches and in-store offers.
- Gaming Zone: Featuring the latest games and consoles, with EE Guides available to offer expert advice on bundles and plans.
- Basecamp: An inviting area where customers can sit at workbenches and collaborative worktops to catch up on emails or consult with EE Guides about products, services, and repairs, all while enjoying a complimentary cup of coffee.
- Tech Live: A space where consumers can test out tech before making a purchase. The newest tech is on display and refreshed regularly, allowing visitors to browse, receive personalised product recommendations from EE Guides, and purchase online.
The Manchester Experience store also showcases the future of the connected home. Shoppers can visualise their smart home set-up through a curated Tech Home area. With the help of EE Guides, customers can explore the latest in connected tech and online security tools to enhance the work-from-home experience, with super-fast broadband solutions, a smart TV, and connected speakers on display.
Asif Aziz OBE, Retail Director at EE, said: “Our research shows Manchester is one of the most plugged-in cities in the UK, and more devices mean more opportunities to get the most out of all that connected tech. Almost a year on from our first Experience store launch in the Trafford Centre, which to date has seen footfall increase by 25% compared to our previous store in the area, we’re opening the doors to a brand-new location that will help even more people in this wonderful community explore their relationship with tech.
“Our expert team of EE Guides are ready to serve the local community, and I hope this becomes another vital tech hub for anyone that needs a helping hand or wants to discover something new.”
The Manchester EE Experience store is open at 33 Market Street.
