- A new experience in interactive technology
- Unique staircase equipped with 150 HD LED screens
- Videotron's future vision all under one roof
Montréal, November 23, 2010 – Videotron is breaking new ground again with the opening of its flagship store on Canada's premier shopping street. The unique, avant-garde 4,500+ square-foot emporium at 1192 Sainte-Catherine St. West in Montréal will offer customers a new concept in shopping. Cutting-edge communications equipment will showcase the Quebec telecom leader's hi-tech vision of the future, drawing visitors into a new dimension: the world of Videotron.
The opening of the new Videotron store is part of our effort to deliver the best possible customer experience, anticipate consumers' technology and entertainment needs, and set ourselves apart from the competition, said Robert Dépatie, President & CEO of Videotron. As an industry leader, setting up shop at a prestigious address on Canada's premier shopping street was a natural move for us.
Once again, Videotron is demonstrating that Quebec boasts formidable entrepreneurial and creative resources, said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President & CEO of Quebecor. The opening of Videotron's flagship store is a high-profile example of the major innovative projects being carried out in Quebec. The entire Quebecor Media team is very proud of this achievement, the product of a joint effort with an array of Quebec firms.
Innovative design, leading-edge technology
Every detail of the new store has been painstakingly designed to bring the Videotron brand to life and create a compelling hi-tech environment for consumers, from the giant multimedia screen reflecting the urban bustle of Sainte-Catherine St. to the yellow cube entrance.
The use of unconventional materials that reference Videotron's corporate brand image, such as yellow glass, black lacquer, chrome, glass boxes and brick, lend the interior a vibrant contemporary look. After they step into the Videotron universe, loyal customers and visitors from around the world alike can use the giant smartphone to take a picture or video of themselves and send it to a friend.
Only staircase of its kind in North America
The next thing visitors notice is the striking multimedia staircase leading to the second floor, the only one of its kind in North America. The only similar structures in the world are in Rome and Hong Kong. Equipped with 150 high-definition LED screens, the staircase promises to be one of the store's main attractions. On the second floor, visitors can immerse themselves in the illico TV high-definition experience in two sound-proof glass booths equipped with 85 screens.
Unique customer experience
Videotron's new concept store offers customers all of the Company's services under one roof and a taste of the Videotron experience at its best. At the mobile phone bar, equipped with six touch screens and interactive software, visitors can pick their user profile with one touch (student, professional, head of the family, social butterfly, techno, globetrotter) and find the best handset and plan for their needs. They can then save their search and email it.
Consumers can also try out Full 3D television at Videotron's new downtown Montréal store. The torrent of stunning images and spectacular sound will provide proof positive that the television technology of the future is here today.
In the Multiproduct Zone, visitors can find out about Videotron's products, services and bundles for today's connected households: residential and mobile telephone service, Internet access and illico Digital TV.
A team of specially trained advisors will be on hand in all departments to answer customers' questions. Consumers can go to the cash or to one of three individual alcoves to make a transaction. The client advisors are also equipped with tablet PCs to help customers make their purchases.
Business Solutions Zone
On the second floor, business customers can learn about Videotron's products and services in the specially designed Business Solutions Zone. Among other things, it boasts a lounge for team meetings. And of course, Wi-Fi is available everywhere in the store.
I want to pay tribute to the terrific team that helped make this project a reality, said Robert Dépatie. Over the past few months, they have applied their creative inspiration and high-octane energy to produce a customer experience that matches our mission and our commitment to excellence. Actually, I could say the same about all of Videotron's achievements of 2010, as Im sure our customers will agree.
A number of leading Quebec firms were involved in this major project, including Sid Lee, Sid Lee Architecture, Régis Côté et associés architectes, Moment Factory, Solotech and gsmprjct. Videotron also thanks the following partners that helped create its new temple of entertainment: Albert Jean Construction, ITES, Nurun and TVA Accès.
The opening of Videotron's new flagship store is part of a business strategy aimed at enlarging the Company's footprint in all major centres throughout its service area. To date, Videotron has 72 counters in SuperClub Vidéotron locations, 11 counters in Archambault stores, 19 booths and 19 standalone stores in shopping malls across Quebec.
Videotron Ltd. (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, and Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its interactive Digital TV service and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of September 30, 2010, Videotron was serving 1,802,000 cable television customers, including 1,182,300 subscribers to its digital service. Videotron is also the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,233,800 subscribers to its cable modem service as of September 30, 2010. As of the same date, Videotron had 95,400 subscriber connections on its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 1,098,100 Québec households and organizations. For the fifth consecutive year, Videotron was named Québec's most respected telecommunications company by Les Affaires magazine, based on a Léger Marketing survey.
– 30 –
