Sky is taking to the high street! The UK satellite firm has confirmed plans to open its own brick-and-mortar stores, known as Sky Shops, with the first one set to open its doors next week. These won’t only be places to change your subscription bundle, sign-up to a new contract, or new a replacement Sky Q remote control. As you might expect, Sky Broadband ad Sky Mobile will also have a presence under the same roof.
The first Sky Shop will throw open its doors on October 26 in Liverpool. While the location of the next store hasn’t been confirmed, Sky has said that its next opening will likely take place in 2021.
So, what can you expect when you enter a Sky Shop? Well, that’s not exactly clear right now. Of course, you’ll be able to sign-up to Sky TV, adjust your current monthly bundle, join Sky Broadband and Sky Mobile, as well as buy accessories and replacement kit. So far, it all sounds like a pretty standard shop. But Sky is promising a lot more, it says it wants to create a “new social hub for shoppers” alongside this traditional shopping experience.
According to the broadcast behemoth, “The shop will be separated into designated themed spaces across an open-plan layout, encouraging easy conversation between Sky’s expert advisors and customers. It will also have a dedicated ‘Customer Hub’, complete with seating areas, that will allow existing customers to speak to advisors about their current products.
“The shops will also feature a dedicated ‘Access All Areas’ stage which will host various interactive experiences for customers. It will be used to create moments that entertain and surprise, putting customers at the centre of Sky’s extraordinary entertainment content and leading products.”
MORE LIKE THIS
Sky Q’s latest feature is available on your Amazon Fire TV Stick now
That sounds suspiciously like the sort of experience we’ve come to expect from the Apple Store, which sells the latest gadgets cooked-up by the team in Cupertino, California, but also offers the Genius Bar for troubleshooting, photography lessons, tutorials around its software, as well as guests speakers, including Hollywood movie stars, well-known authors and songwriters in regular events like Meet the Filmmakers.
Sky Shop sounds like a pretty good place to get hands-on with some of the latest equipment from Sky. Until now, there’s not really been anywhere to try-before-you-buy but the Sky Shop seems to solve those issues. Shoppers can check out the award-winning Sky Q system – watching some of the exclusive channels available with Sky, as well as testing the integration with the likes of Netflix and Disney+. Sky says that its most partnerships, including fitness app Fiit and karaoke app ROXi, will also be available to demo on the high street following the launch next week.
And finally, in a move that’s sure to appeal to Sky Mobile customers, Sky has partnered with repair chain iSmash. The smashed-screen-specialists will be on-hand to fix any broken displays inside the Sky Shop.
As you might expect, all Sky Shops will operate in line with the Government’s latest COVID-19 safety measures, including social distancing, mandatory face coverings inside and hand sanitiser available throughout the store. So, that’s good.
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen for UK and Europe Stephen van Rooyen said: “Our new Sky shops are a great way for us to showcase the amazing benefits and customer service we have to offer new and existing customers. We’re proud to see our shops opening at a challenging time for the UK high street, and alongside our partners at iSmash, we’ll bring service, innovation and convenience all in one place, under one roof, at a time when keeping people connected has never been more important.”
