Bee.com launches first High Street store

Everyone thought Play.com or Amazon would do it first.

Even The Hut Group talked about it last year. But it’s emerging online retailer Bee.com that has taken the bold step onto the High Street.

The website launched a shop in the Manchester Arndale Centre last weekend.

The new outlet is 3,000 sq ft in size and sells CDs, DVDs and video games, putting it in direct competition with HMV.

To celebrate the new store’s opening, the firm has been running a number of promotions including cut-price games, competitions, discounts for every customer and DVD giveaways.

The Bee.com shop is the first of 12 new stores that will be opened before the end of the year. The firm says it plans to open another 38 in 2012, bringing its overall tally to 50 in just 18 months.

Bee.com isn’t even a year old. It was launched by MBL Group last November and has already made a name for itself amongst bargain hunters. It is managed by former Play.com, Green Man Gaming and The Hut Group exec Gian Luzio.

We’re delighted to have opened our first shop and look forward to offering the customer a multi-channel retail experience,” said MBL’s retail director Dave Webb.

The current trading environment for entertainment retailers is very difficult but we have been delighted with the customer response and look forward to continuing our great promotions.”