Best Buy Opens Doors in China

I took this photograph last week as Best Buy employees rushed into the new Shanghai branch to set up shop.  At around 9 in the morning Thursday, I witnessed 100 of Best Buy's new staff members lining this elevated walkway and engaging in some pre-opening rituals whereby they chanted "Best Buy" over and over again.  Hey, it's China.  Monday, the lanterns were hung and firecrackers stood by for the grand entrance of Best Buy into the Chinese market.  Tuesday, U.S. electronics outlet Best Buy opened its doors for the Chinese and foreign press to preview Shanghai's newest electronics mega-store.  Thursday, the store will be officially be open to the public.  At 80,000 square feet, the 4-floor Shanghai branch is the largest Best Buy anywhere in the world and the only Best Buy outside of North America.  And lucky for me, this branch is located 50 feet from my office in the ritzy Xujiahui neighborhood in south central Shanghai.  I haven't visited the store yet, but from all I've heard and read, Best Buy has brought American-style service and a pleasant shopping environment to a city where both are hard to come by.

•AP: Best Buy Opens First China Outlet