Disqus
I was really excited to check out the Nokia Store for the first time. I had tried to make it over on previous trips to the city, but had run out of time each prior trip. They’ve got a sweet piece off real estate – across from Tiffany’s on 57th and while narrow is packed with technology! You can see a at least 2 of not 4 of every device currently in market – though I honestly don’t recall seeing the E61, instead the E62 was there since that is the device matched for the US market. The store design is sleek and very modern and product is very well lit. It’s easy and fun to play with everything there and the staff essentially stays out of your way so you can go to town. They have every accessory I’ve ever seen on the Nokia site, which is nice – If you want Nokia Kit, this is clearly the right place.
The store is three floors – 1- the main array of devices, 2 NSeries and 3, Vertu. It did not seem like anyone was actually making a purchase. People (maybe a dozen) were milling about and just checking things out. One woman was actively shopping, but I don’t think she was leaving with a unit. Staff was young and very friendly … though I actually had a specific request and was refused. Apparently the store has no desire to service unlocked phones (mine actually come directly from Nokia courtesy of the Blogger Relations Program) and will not help you update the firmware. I was directed to the software available for download – though as I mentioned and will repeat here – as a Mac user you are completely SOL in this regard. It is impossible to do a firmware update without a Windows PC. There was a PC there, but there was no way for me to connect and update – at least not in the middle of the store!
The NSeries and Vertu Floors are smaller than the main floor as they show a more limited set of devices. The main difference is on the Vertu floor. The only way to view the devices up close, is with the assistance of the staff. There were a few younger guys up there checking the phones out, but given the asking price (thousands) this looked more like your tourist browsing in Tiffany’s than a buying customer.
Source: atmaspheric | endeavors
Read his complete entry, my question to Nokia is: Are the flagship stores generating profits?
About The Author
Stefan Constantinescu
Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.
