Russia
: Amidst an array of multimedia effects and interactive kiosks, Nokia
today announced its intention to opening several Nokia Flagship Stores
in "shopping capitals of the world." In addition to generating
sales, a key objective of each Nokia Flagship Store will be to showcase
Nokia's complete portfolio of products and services, offering consumers
an opportunity to experience the full benefits of mobility in a comfortable,
cutting-edge environment. The first Nokia Flagship store opened today
in the prestigious Pushkin Square district of Moscow, Russia. The
Nokia Flagship Stores will be opened in high-profile locations in
major shopping destinations in the next couple of years.
"Through an innovative retail experience like the new Nokia Flagship
Stores, Nokia aims to inspire and educate consumers to the benefits
of mobility and broaden the appeal of the Nokia brand. It is a place
for discovery and entertainment," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo,
President and COO of Nokia, at the official unveiling in Moscow. "Whether
it is demonstrating the features and capabilities of our latest multimedia
smartphone or assisting a consumer with their mobile email settings,
we want to offer a relaxing, interactive environment for consumers
to truly experience the power of mobility."
At a Nokia Flagship Store, consumers can test the latest Nokia mobile
devices and learn about new mobile services and technologies. Well-trained
and knowledgeable staff will be on hand to help consumers find a product
or service that reflects their lifestyle and individual needs. Interactive,
multimedia displays will engage visitors as they visit the store,
encouraging them to share images or send messages to friends. and
connect with invididuals around the world. Of course, consumers will
also be able to set-up their new devices, review service provider
options and test the range of mobile enhancements related to their
new phone.
One area of the Nokia Flagship Stores will be dedicated to mobile
gaming with direct access to the N-Gage Arena, Nokia's global mobile
gaming network. Visitors to the store will be able to experience the
excitement of connected mobile gaming by playing Asphalt: Urban GT(TM)
2 and posting their best scores to the online rankings board shown
on the display monitor. As more flagship stores open around the world,
visitors will be able to compete directly against scores posted by
those playing at other Nokia stores.
"Consumer focus is at the heart of our strategy and the Nokia
Flagship Stores enable us to increase our focus at the retail level,"
explains Cliff Crosbie, Director, Global Retail and Trade Marketing.
"Through the Flagship Stores we want to develop a close one-to-one
relationship with consumers, listen to their feedback and find valuable
consumer insights. This will be crucial information and allow us to
faster respond with products and services that meet consumers' needs
and desires. The concept behind the Nokia Flagship Stores represents
something truly special in the retail world. It will be unlike anything
consumers looking for a mobile phone have ever experienced."
Like Moscow, each Nokia Flagship Store will be located in the very
best retail locations in high-traffic urban settings in major markets
worldwide. Customer service will be the key driver. The Nokia Flagship
Stores will be owned, managed and operated by Nokia to provide the
best level of experience, education and inspiration in mobile device
retailing.
The Nokia Flagship Stores will form the top end of Nokia's newly revised
retail strategy that includes retail and operator partners and their
more than 300,000 retail outlets globally. All of these customer outlets
will remain essential to Nokia's ongoing success and continue to be
the main sales channels in the future. The feedback and learnings
received through the Flagship stores will be shared and implemented
with Nokia's retail and operator partners.
