12. 05. 2005
Radio Shack, Best Buy Get the Pinkwash
In order to appear more female friendly, consumer electronics stores are turning down the music, softening the color schemes, adding female sales associates and cleaning up aisle clutter, according to a story in today's Washington Post.
"Guys walk around tech stores like they're in a porno shop looking for the fastest, newest, coolest, first-on-the-block thing, while women would rather shop in a calmer, information-based environment for products that will simplify their lives," said Mary Lou Quinlan, author of "Just Ask a Woman - Cracking the Code of What Women Want and How They Buy."
Radio Shack has gussied up its gray and black decor with bright purple, orange and green at its newer stores. Aisles have been widened and the product arrangements redone to make the place look less like a cluttered electronics hardware store. The company also has put more women on the sales floor.
"The store doesn't feel like a men's club anymore," said Charles Hodges, a spokesman for Radio Shack. "Now, women can walk in and be helped by women just as knowledgeable as guys."
Personally, I like my music loud, I enjoy the creative chaos and bargain prices at a place like Fry's. And I'd rather spend a Saturday afternoon in a plain ol' Fry's than a Best Buy cross-dressed as a Victoria's Secret. You?
LINK (via Newsday.com)
(Photo courtesy aikitherese)
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| Comments (5)
Comments (5)
My local Radio Shack would do better to get my business by not employing total morons and jerks.
Sabrina | December 5, 2005 7:31 PM
December 5, 2005 19:31
Also, perhaps, they could try to arrange it so most of their products are not cheap-ass crap.
jennifer and the beans | December 6, 2005 8:12 AM
December 6, 2005 08:12
My problem with Radio Shack has always been that I am ignored by *all* sales staff, male and femaile alike. Even when the store is not busy. I never go in anymore.
Laura | December 6, 2005 11:37 AM
December 6, 2005 11:37
My experience w/Best Buy and RadioShack: If I go in after work (when I'm "dressed up"), I feel like the guys are ogling me. It's like being in a frat house. If I go in wearing sweats, I get ignored. Either way, I feel uncomfortable.
Solution solved by doing 90% of my shopping online.
Marie | December 8, 2005 9:36 PM
December 8, 2005 21:36
The best 'tech-related' service I've ever had was not at an electronics store, but at a music store, I was looking for a good headset that I could also use for on-line gaming, and the staff was not only helpful, but didn't pass judgement based on my gender. (GuitarCenter)
B | December 23, 2005 2:34 PM
December 23, 2005 14:34