Chinese language smartphone maker Xiaomi has opened its first retail retailer outdoors the Mainland.
The Mi Hong Kong retailer – dubbed Mi Residence – is a 270 sqm area inside Hollywood Plaza at 610 Nathan Rd in Mongkok.
We are saying ‘area’ as a result of the shop was created as someplace “identical to residence” – someplace Mi house owners, or potential house owners, would really feel at house.
As the pictures launched by Xiaomi present it’s a lot like an Apple retailer, however with out the huge product vary. As an alternative there are brightly colored sofas and cushions and big flat display TVs.
Hugo Barra, the previous Google government who’s now VP of Xiaomi International, promised final month Xiaomi would create “a service and retailer expertise that feels identical to house, we would like a spot that feels so snug you’re simply completely happy to return and hang around”.
In addition to permitting clients to check out the handsets and examine fashions, the shop has a service assure: clients can deliver a telephone in to be fastened and wait not than 19 minutes earlier than with the ability to take it away.
Xiaomi was launched in China in 2011 but has already turn out to be the world’s third largest smartphone model – and the most important within the mainland. Final yr it bought 60 million handsets, virtually all of them in Mainland China. Founder and CEO Lei Jun, China’s 23rd richest man, is now increasing the model into different shopper electronics strains.
And the corporate has begun what guarantees to be a relentless march overseas. In addition to opening its flagship in Mongkok – virtually definitely a check earlier than the idea is rolled out elsewhere – it has began promoting equipment like headphones on-line within the US and Europe.
Thus far it isn’t promoting handsets in both market, however Mi telephones are discovering their approach into different markets by way of distributors and gray imports.
Xiaomi launched its new Mi 4i handset in Hong Kong on Might 12 at HK$1599 – a handset with a 5.5 inch display and 15 megapixel ahead digital camera, operating Android. On the equal of US$206, it’s a potential class killer as soon as shoppers develop to belief the Mi model. An Apple iPhone 6 begins at $5588 (US$720). It’s Xiaomi’s first telephone developed for the worldwide market.
Xiaomi has a small community of 19 retail shops in Mainland China, dubbed Mi Houses and 541 service centres operated by companions in eight markets.
So far most of its handsets are bought on-line and thru a small group of retail companions in Hong Kong and India.