Big-box retailers compete on the pricing front - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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Best Buy also will affect some musicf stores with its extensive collection of musicv CDs andDVD movies. , just across from Best Buy on Alakawaq Streetin Iwilei, launchedr a special sale the same weekens as Best Buy's grand openingv on July 29. In addition to a sale on Home Depot is offering to match pricezs for the same model of washingb machines and dryers as itslocap competitors. Sales associates at , are ready to do battle with Best Buy, sayingf they will tell walk-in customers that they will offefr the same prices astheir competitor. More lower prices More competition meanslower prices, according to Ron retail consultant and CEO of "Competition tendws to do that," he said.
"Being the only game in town allowsx you to take advantageof customers. Having anothe player in town is going to be a with pricesbeing one, and better service beinv the other. I think what's going to make the differencer iscustomer service." Both CompUSzA and Pearl City's Circuit City had newspaper insergt ads last weekend, highlighting back-to-school Because of a potential traffic jam, Best Buy agreed not to advertise its grand openingv heavily or hold its traditional sale. But it also will match competitor said General ManagerShawn Troup. Not to be outdone, CompUSA is doubling its stockk of laptop computers and beefinyg up its selection of desktop computerzsas well.
The store already has started rollint out the additional according to assistant sales managerJosepn Hampe. "We're going to be very aggressivr withprice matching," he said. Oahu also may see a so-calledc battle of the geeks asthe big-box retailers stock up on computer experts to improve customer service. Best Buy has its own Geek Squae equipped with a fleet of four Volkswagen Beetles to make housew calls forcomputer emergencies. Hampse says CompUSA has a knowledgeablee team of techies who canservice walk-imn customers. "We're more of a specialty store," said Roberft Mace, CompUSA clearance coordinator. "Ourd focus is on computers andcomputet accessories.
We also take pride in the knowledge of our team Circuit City opened in Hawaii in the fallof 1996, followed by CompUSA in Kakaako in June 1998. Best Buy made its entry last Friday. While the big-box stores are accustomed to competinfg against one another onthe Mainland, this is the firsyt time they will vie for a shard of Hawaii's small but densew consumer market.