About MediaMarkt: a brief history
In the late 1970s, people bought a new TV at a specialist retailer, a record at a record store and a washing machine at a white goods retailer. Limited choice and relatively high prices were the order of the day at that time. In 1979, the four German founders of MediaMarkt decided that the time was ripe to change this and shake up the market.
Their idea: a wide range of branded items for the lowest price in large stores, with eye-catching advertising and a new entrepreneurial corporate culture, in which employees were given more responsibility and opportunities for growth than was customary at the time. With one thing clearly in mind: always be customer oriented.
MediaMarkt was the first mega-electronics retailer (micro-computers, multimedia, CD, DVD, video, hi-fi, photo, telecom and household appliances) where the customer was completely unburdened: a huge choice, expert advice, the latest gadgets and top-quality branded products for the guaranteed lowest price, all under one roof. No wonder that this concept quickly became a great success.
Expansion followed quickly, first in Germany, but soon in the rest of Europe. In November 1999, the first MediaMarkt branch opened in the Netherlands. The Netherlands now has 55 MediaMarkt stores, including Tech Village in Rotterdam: the ultimate experience store where 31 top brands present themselves in their own shop-in-shop and where customers can experience their latest gadgets and products.
With more than 1,000 stores and over 50,000 employees in 11 European countries, MediaMarkt has now grown into the largest electronics retailer in Europe. Every year, more than 100 million people in the Netherlands find their way to MediaMarkt, in the stores or online.
The customer is central – Smartbar services
MediaMarkt continues to develop the original customer promise from 40 years ago, in line with the wishes of today's customers. The priority is to relieve the customer of worries by providing good advice when choosing electronic equipment. But our service goes further than purchasing the right product. For example, the customer can expect various additional services from us at the Smartbar in the store. For example, our unique TV calibration service ensures the ultimate viewing experience and savings on the energy consumption of the calibrated television.
And in addition to expert advice in the store about purchasing the right smartphone, there is a very wide range of telephone subscriptions. At the Smartbar, these can be concluded immediately and help can also be provided with transferring photos, telephone numbers and other data from the old to the new telephone.
When purchasing a laptop or tablet, the customer is also completely relieved at the Smartbar. The software can be installed and the product can be taken home ready for use immediately, or delivered at the time desired by the customer. But you can also take out insurance directly with the Smartbar, so that you can enjoy the purchased product without any worries. And if the screen of your smartphone or tablet breaks, MediaMarkt has a 48-hour service with free return shipping. Finally, our expert employees can even check at our Smartbar whether your current energy contract still suits you or whether you can save on it.
The next step in customer experience - Omnichannel
MediaMarkt has now not only grown into the largest electronics chain, but also into the online electronics supplier in Europe. This allows the customer to choose how, when and where the product is purchased and delivered. With this omnichannel proposition, MediaMarkt seamlessly integrates the physical stores, the B2B sales and the online store, thereby offering customers ample options when purchasing a product. In addition to the traditional purchase and taking a product with you to the store, it is also possible to order a product online and pick it up in the store the same day or a day later (click & collect service), order online and have the product delivered to your home within 4 hours, the same day or on the day desired by the customer.
In short, MediaMarkt offers customers the advantage of 24/7 online shopping, but also the opportunity to experience the product yourself in the store, with personal advice from one of our expert sales staff.
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